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Ohio EPA, Georgetown residents discuss landfill issues
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By BARBARA GOLDMAN, Staff Writer
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GEORGETOWN, Ohio -- The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is currently reviewing two draft permits for Rumpke Waste., Inc.'s proposed Brown County Landfill expansion.
Currently the landfill accepts municipal solid waste, industrial waste and construction and demolition debris. The new permit would allow the facility to accept asbestos-containing material as well.
At a hearing Tuesday night at the Southern Hills Career and Technical Center Reading, the Ohio EPA met with citizens. The purpose of the meeting was for people to critique and comment on reasons to deny or support the landfill, according to Heather Lauer, Public Interest spokesperson for the Ohio EPA.
"We had no idea that we would have such a turnout," said Lauer.
Lauer said the turnout was so large the group exceeded the fire capacity in the first room and had to switch rooms. Lauer said the EPA did not realize the extent of concern and the amount of opposition to the plan.
"People were mostly opposed," said Lauer. "Most of the meeting was a question and answer where we responded to people. When the hearing begins we can't do that."
Currently the landfill is authorized to cover 72.5 acres and accept 4.5 million cubic yards of waste. Although it is permitted to accept 2,500 tons of waste per day, it takes in approximately 800 tons. The company recently received a contract to haul Montgomery and Miami counties' trash, estimated to be up to 1,400 tons per day. The landfill would also expand to 208.6 acres, totalling 281.1 acres if approved.
If the landfill accepted waste at its current rate and the request is approved, the landfill’s life expectancy would be 212.5 years; however, if the agency approves Rumpke’s request to increase the maximum trash accepted to 3,000 tons per day and the landfill accepted waste at the 3,000-ton daily level, then the landfill would be full in 56.5 years.
In addition to increasing the landfill’s size and volume, the permits’ approval also would allow the facility to increase its air emissions. Fluorothichloromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, chlorodifluoromethane, and dichloroflouoromethane, all methane gases would be permitted, none of which are permitted now.
Lauer said that at this point the permits have been back and forth with compliance.
"They've been told the things that need to change to be in compliance with the law and reasons that they won't be approved," said Lauer. "By the time they get us something approvable the bar is pretty high."
Lauer said the Ohio EPA is waiting to see written responses.
Lauer said currently the EPA is identifying comments and questions. Written responses will help make future actions more clear. Air staff and solid waste staff will be making recommendations accordingly.
Written comments and oral comments are given equal weight and consideration. Written comments regarding the draft air permit must be received by Ohio EPA/Portsmouth Local Air Agency no later than Aug. 25, 2008. Written comments may be submitted at the hearing or sent to Matt Freeman, Portsmouth Local Air Agency, 605 Washington Street, Third Floor, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662, or faxed to 740-353-3638. Written comments regarding the draft solid waste permit should be sent to: Ohio EPA, Division of Solid and Infectious Waste Management, Systems Management Unit, P.O.Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049. Comments received after Aug. 25, may be considered as time allows but may not be considered to be a part of the official record. Also Erika Wiggins, at the Ohio EPA Public Interest Center, may be contacted by calling 614-644-2160.
"The Ohio EPA exists to protect people's health and the environment," said Lauer.
Contact Barbara Goldman at barbara.goldman@lee.net or by calling 606-564-9091, ext. 274. |
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