Caton Limited Purpose Landfill
Site Background
In June 2023, YHD denied the renewal of the Caton Landfill’s operating permit and ordered the facility to cease operations by June 30, 2025. The facility continued to accept waste. The Caton Landfill appealed YHD’s decision to deny permit renewal. A hearing was held in August 2023 and the Hearing Officer ruled in favor of the YHDs decision to deny permit renewal. The Caton Landfill continued to accept waste and appealed the decision to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB). On April 10, 2025, the PCHB ruled in favor of the YHDs decision to deny permit renewal. The Caton Landfill ceased accepting waste on April 14, 2025. The landfill operated for 653 days without a permit.
Fire History
The Caton Landfill has a history of fires. In November 2022, a fire broke out within the waste. It was first reported based on visible smoke emissions. Later open flames broke through the surface on the east flank of the landfill.
The Caton Landfill placed soil on waste over the fire in an attempt to smother the fire. In March 2023, the Caton Landfill determined that the fire was extinguished. However, visual observations by Ecology staff as recently as December 2024 suggest that the fire may still be smoldering within the landfill.
Waste Characterization And Placement
Ecology staff observed a number of disposal practices that may have resulted in the release of hazardous materials to the environment at the Caton Landfill, including disposal of vehicles, campers, boats, and tires. In addition, Ecology believes that waste was disposed on parcels that were never permitted for waste handling or disposal.
Investigation And Cleanup
In April 2026, Ecology negotiated an agreed order for a remedial investigation at the site with Caton Landfill and Recycling, LLC. An Agreed Order is a legal agreement between Ecology and the Potentially Liable Person (PLP) outlining the expectations, process, and schedule for the site cleanup. The order requires delineation and characterization of subsurface fire and hazardous compounds originating in the waste.
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Central Region
Counties: Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima
Email: croerts@ecy.wa.gov
Phone: 509-575-2490
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We offer translation and interpretation services at no cost. To request these services or an ADA accommodation, please email luke.lemond@ecy.wa.gov or call 509-379-3961. For Washington Telecommunications Relay, dial 711.
Documents 14
Legal 11
Outreach Information 2
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Caton Limited Purpose Landfill - Public Participation Plan | 6/23/2026 | Public Participation Plan |
| Caton Limited Purpose Landfill - Public Comment Postcard | 5/19/2026 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
Technical Reports 1
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| SHARP Report 04172025 | 4/17/2025 | Site Hazard Assessment and Ranking Process Report |
Places to see print documents
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Solid Waste Program - Central Region1250 W Alder StUnion Gap, 98903This location may only have print documents available during open comment periods.
Contaminants 9
| Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halogenated Organics - Dioxins/Furans | S | |||||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons | S | |||||
| Other Contaminant - Conventional Contaminants, Organic | S | S | ||||
| Other Contaminant - Conventional Contaminants, Inorganic | S | S | ||||
| Metals - Arsenic | S | S | ||||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Benzene | S | S | C | |||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum-Diesel | S | S | ||||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum-Gasoline | S | S | ||||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum-Other | S | S |
- S
- Suspected
- C
- Confirmed Above Cleanup Levels
- B
- Below Cleanup Levels
- RA
- Remediated-Above
- RB
- Remediated-Below
- R
- Remediated
Agreed Order And Public Participation Plan Public Comment Period
The landfill was first permitted to accept construction and demolition waste in 1997. In 2023, the Yakima Health District declined to renew the facility’s permit. In April 2025, the facility stopped accepting waste.
The presence of a subsurface fire has been confirmed and sampling of the air found benzene above state standards.
Ecology has entered into an agreement with the operator, Caton Landfill and Recycling, LLC, to investigate the site. This Agreed Order is a legally binding document describing the required environmental investigation of the property.
Public comments (click to comment) on the Agreed Order and draft Public Participation Plan will be accepted May 18, 2026 through June 19, 2026.
We are building the Public Participation Plan with you to ensure the community has a voice in the cleanup. If more than 10 people request a public meeting, Ecology will offer an opportunity to meet with the community to discuss future cleanup options and strategies.