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Compost Facility CEQA and Permitting Update
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
Provide direction to staff on construction and operation of a composting facility at the Tehama County/Red Bluff Landfill
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Financial Impact:
Background Information:
At the October 4, 2021 Board of Directors meeting the Agency Manager was given authorization to begin a feasibility study and start the CEQA process for a proposed compost facility at the Tehama County/Red Bluff Landfill. At that time the exemption from implementing the majority of California Senate Bill 1383 (Lara) and all of California Assembly Bil 1826 (Chesbro) regulations would have ended on January 1, 2027. Additionally, there were no composting facilities within a feasible distance for Tehama County’s waste to be hauled to, except for a proposed project at the Anderson Landfill owned by WM.
The Agency contracted engineering services with Lawrence & Associates (L&A), who have extensive experience with the Tehama County/Red Bluff Landfill. Beginning in January 2022 and continuing through August 2024, L&A conducted the required geologic and engineering field studies for the proposed compost facility. In November 2024, L&A submitted the Report of Compost Site Information (RCSI), Compost Site Technical Report, and revised Joint Technical Document (JTD) to the Agency and Waste Connections for review and approval. After receiving comments from the Agency and Waste Connections, the documents were submitted to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB), CalRecycle, and Tehama County Department of Environmental Health for review in January 2025.
In April 2025, Environmental Health held a Public Information Meeting at the Agency’s office for the proposed compost facility and increases to traffic, however, no members of the public attended the meeting.
On July 17, 2025, CalRecycle provided their concurrence on the issuance of the Revised Solid Waste Facilities Permit which included the addition of the compost facility. The CVRWQCB provided their Notice of Applicability on August 5, 2025, which was the final step to being fully permitted to construct and operate a compost facility at the Landfill.
The Agency was able to offset significant costs in fiscal years 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 associated with the permitting process through funding from the SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant. Other grant funding could be available in the future to offset costs associated with constructing the compost facility.
However, in August 2024, California Assembly Bill 2902 (Wood) was passed and signed by the Governor on September 22, 2024. This bill extends the rural exemption in SB 1383 until January 1, 2037, or until a county granted a rural exemption reaches a population of 70,000 people. This bill does not address AB 1826, which applies only to commercial organic waste generators, and clarification from CalRecycle was sought by Agency staff. At the time of writing this agenda item Agency staff have not received a response from CalRecycle. Additionally, the compost facility at the Anderson Landfill is projected to start operations this month. The Agency reached out to the District Manager for the Anderson Landfill for their tipping fees and were told that the rates have not yet been established.
The Board of Directors will need to determine if the Agency should provide direction to the Landfill Operator, Waste Connections, to furnish a construction cost estimate, impact to the tipping fee, and ongoing cost to operate the facility or wait until more information is known about the rates for the Anderson Landfill’s compost facility and whether compliance with AB 1826 will be required beginning January 1, 2027.