Federal and state regulations ensure that landfill operations minimize impacts to public health and safety, and the environment. An important part of IWMD's mission is to apply sound environmental practices to ensure compliance with these regulations.

IWMD is required to obtain permits to operate the three active landfills in Orange County. These include: a Solid Waste Facilities Permit; Waste Discharge Requirements; a Stormwater Discharge Permit; and permits to construct and operate gas management systems. These permits are issued and enforced by Regulatory Agencies. The main regulatory body for landfills is the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). The County of Orange Health Care Agency's Environmental Health Division is the local enforcement agency (LEA) for the CIWMB.

In addition to the CIWMB and the LEA, the South Coast Air Quality Management District enforces air quality regulations, and the California Regional Water Quality Control Boards enforce water quality regulations. IWMD also operates under Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the cities that host a landfill. The MOUs are agreements between cities and the County that address local issues, such as landfill operating hours, traffic routes, and the maximum amount of trash received daily. In addition to the above-referenced permits, certain projects may fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Game.

IWMD evaluates all projects for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This ensures that any project which could have an impact on the environment is fully analyzed, and that any impacts are mitigated to the fullest extent possible.

Permit compliance reports are prepared by IWMD staff in fulfillment of permit conditions.

OC Landfills • Anatomy of a Landfill • Acceptable Waste • Gate Fees • Fee Exemptions
Future of Solid Waste Disposal