THE SIGNAL

“Air officials increase orders for Chiquita; judge hears arguments”

“The landfill and its neighbors also were in court Thursday to deal with thousands of lawsuits related to the smell, which the company still cannot explain or stop. In recent weeks, experts have said a subsurface incident such as the one at the landfill could take up to a decade to resolve. 

“Further investigation by various agencies also revealed that the landfill had issues with leachate collection, that leachate production had increased, and leachate seepage had occurred,” per Howse’s allegations. “Defendants had been required to maintain a leachate collection system, and defendants had not notified regulators of any issues.” 

The allegations also include the landfill’s disclosure and disposal methods. 

“Defendants had been required to maintain a leachate collection system, and defendants had not notified regulators of any issues,” the cited complaint continued. “Further, in order to deal with the leachate, defendants shipped leachate (which they knew contained toxic chemicals) to a company that did not have means to properly dispose of it.” 

“After this, defendants stored the toxic leachate onsite and attempted to treat it themselves. Unable to handle it all, defendants illegally dumped some leachate into the Santa Clara River,” the Howse complaint alleges. 

The landfill has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, including with respect to the dumping allegation, and said it is working with regulators to figure out the problems and try to lessen the impacts. A scrim covering the reaction area has been touted as a potential difference-maker for the smell, and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. 

The first plaintiff to file, from Howse’s family, alleges they “suffered headaches, nosebleeds, respiratory issues, heart issues, and other health issues,” as the result of these conditions. Howse, who’s represented by Castaic Area Town Council member and attorney Oshea Orchid, filed suit in August 2023. 

In addition to a decline in their home value, the Howse plaintiffs “were forced at times to remain inside and forgo use of the yards to avoid noxious odors and health effects,” according to the lawsuit. 

The other 2,340 plaintiffs identified in court documents for the consolidated lawsuit identified similar claims.  ”