Adopt addendum to the previously certified 2021 Yolo County Central Landfill Permit Revisions Environmental Impact Report (EIR), relating to the expansion of Northern Recycling’s composting facility, as the adequate level of environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (No general fund impact) (Lindbo/Kieffer)

On November 9, 2021, the Board of Supervisors certified the 2021 Yolo County Central Landfill Permit Revisions Environmental Impact Report (EIR). This EIR analyzed 14 alternative technologies for waste reduction and identified that there was one existing compost facility at the site (Anaerobic Digesters – known as CF1) and another compost facility being developed by Northern Recycling (CF2).  Northern Recycling began operating CF2 on July 1, 2022, with a permitted maximum throughput of 182,500 tons per year and a peak maximum daily amount of 1,000 tons per day.  The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15164 provides that the Lead Agency “shall prepare an Addendum to a previously certified EIR if some changes or additions are necessary, but none of the conditions described in Section 15162 calling for preparation of a subsequent EIR have occurred”.

This first addendum to the 2021 EIR (Att. A.) evaluates a proposal by Northern Recycling to increase the annual maximum throughput at CF2 to 260,000 tons per year and a daily peak tonnage of 1,500 tons per day. These increases are found to be consistent with the increased daily permitted tonnage analyzed in the 2021 EIR (a monthly average of 2,500 tons per day with a daily peak of 3,000 tons per day).

An emissions factor study (Att. B.) was undertaken by RGM Environmental to determine the emission factors required for CF2 to expand as proposed. The study concluded that “applying reasonable and still conservative emission factors to the proposed 260,000 ton per year expanded CF2 facility results in no increase in the previously permitted level of VOC (volatile organic compounds) and NH3 (ammonia) emissions.” 

As part of the proposed effort to expand CF2 operations, CF1 operations could be phased out due to economies of scale.  Since the development of CF2, it has become apparent that CF2 will operate more economically than CF1. This phase out would be consistent with the 2021 EIR goal to “increase efficiency, diversify operations, and operate more economically.” 

Staff concludes the Addendum #1 to the 2021 EIR demonstrates that the proposed modifications to expand operations at the CF2 facility do not represent a substantive change to the operations previously analyzed in the certified EIR.  Based upon the information provided in Addendum #1, the minor changes to the CF2 project described therein will not result in new significant impacts or substantially increase the severity of impacts previously identified in the certified EIR. None of the other factors set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 are present. Therefore, adoption of Addendum #1 is appropriate pursuant to Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines and staff recommends that the Board adopt Addendum #1 (Att. A) to the 2021 Yolo County Central Landfill Permit Revisions EIR that supports overarching efforts at the Landfill to provide for greater flexibility in developing operations that reduce waste, increase overall tonnage of waste processed at the facility, and extend the facility's lifespan.

Division staff worked with the Planning Division on preparation of this addendum.