Laytonville Landfill, Cahto Tribe of California

Laytonville Landfill Impacts Cahto Tribe In California

Site Overview

Site Location

Laytonville Rancheria, California

Site Description

The Cahto Tribe resides on a 200 acre Rancheria, directly adjacent to the Laytonville Landfill. Since 1967, Mendocino County has owned the 35 acre hazardous waste facility, which was operated until 1993. Various wastes were collected in the unlined landfill, including petroleum and solvent-based contaminants, many containing heavy metals. Upon closure in 1997, the landfill hill (7 acres) was capped with geosynthetic material and covered with soil and vegetation. Landfill venting pipes and leachate drainage trough system were installed to control gas emissions, runoff and leachate. However leachate collection tanks were designed with limited capacity and have leaked onto the soil surface. The cap integrity is compromised along the landfill base and in areas near top of the hill. One of two sedimentation ponds discharges into Cahto Creek, the other into unlined drainage ditches. Groundwater monitoring wells were installed and a sampling plan implemented.

The Cahto Tribe’s primary monitoring efforts have focused on surface and groundwater contaminants. Air quality near the landfill has not been fully investigated. The Tribe is also concerned that runoff and discharge from the Laytonville Landfill has potentially impacted natural resources including; local wildlife, streams, wetlands and agricultural areas. County and State officials have documented numerous reports from the Tribe and Laytonville community about acrid odors, foul water, contaminated resources and health concerns. In 2005, California Department of Health Service under cooperative agreement with ATSDR completed a public health assessment. In 2002, the Cahto Tribe received a modest EPA One Stop Grant to support establishment of a Tribal EPA technology office. Grant objectives include development of GIS/GPS data skills, data management, reporting, and exchange systems.

Compromised Cap and Cover on Laytonville Landfill Surface (May 2000)

Organization Requesting Assistance

Cahto Tribal Chairperson, Genevieve Campbell

Beginning Date

April 2000

Summary of TOSNAC Assistance

TOSNAC outreach to the Cahto Tribal community included delivery of training material and discussions about exposure risks to heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The TOSNAC Coordinator consulted with the Cahto Environmental Department about surface and groundwater monitoring plans, data and technologies. These activities included:

Site visits and several phone consultations with Cahto Environmental Directors;

Review of several California North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board documents, containing domestic water supply well sampling data;

Review of California Air Resources Board air emissions testing data;

Review of California Department of Fish and Game surface water sampling report;

Review of Army Corps of Engineers monitoring well installation and sampling reports;

Review of Environmental Assessment for Laytonville Rancheria, prepared on behalf of the Cahto Tribe by private contractor;

Technical consultation to Cahto Environmental Department during development of Tribal hydrogeological survey plans;

Assistance in development of community outreach plan;

Two meetings with Cahto Tribal community and delivery of training material related to exposure risks, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds; and

TOSNAC Coordinator provided Cahto Tribe with referral and contacts for ATSDR and NIEHS to assist with investigation of human exposure risks.

Geologists Preparing Hydraulic Gradient Test at Landfill Base (May 2000)

Geologists Preparing Hydraulic Gradient Test at Landfill Base (May 2000)

Publications

The ATSDR's public health assessment can be viewed through the link below:

Public Health Assessment, final version, March 22, 2005 (PDF)

NOTE: The EPA TOSC and TOSNAC programs have ended. Communities seeking technical assistance should contact:

- Karen Martin at EPA Headquarters at 703-603-9925, Martin.Karenl@epa.gov; or

- EPA personnel identified at the bottom of the TOSNAC Information Contacts below:

TOSNAC Information Contacts

Brenda Brandon

TOSNAC Program Manager

E-mail: brendabrandon@msn.com

Voice: 785.749.8498 OR 785.532.6519

Mailing addresses

Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center
155 Indian Ave., Box 5001
Haskell Indian Nations University
Lawrence, KS 66046

Center for Hazardous Substance Research

104 Ward Hall

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS 66506-2502