WARREN Recycling company gets OK for expansion from Ohio EPA

Warren Recycling must still secure a federal permit before beginning the project.
WARREN -- A local recycling company has received certification from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for a proposed expansion project.
Kara Allison, spokeswoman for the EPA, said Warren Recycling must still secure a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before proceeding with expansion at its construction and demolition debris site, which is along Martin Luther King Boulevard, just south of the intersection of West Market Street.
Construction cannot begin until Warren Recycling receives a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, Allison said, noting that Ohio EPA certification was granted with special conditions.
Plans: The project calls for filling 6.95 acres of pond and 11.72 acres of wetlands on the property. The federal Clean Water Act requires that anyone discharging dredged or fill material into the waters of the state obtain EPA certification and the Army Corps of Engineers permit.
As part of approval, the Ohio EPA is requiring Warren Recycling to submit a detailed plan of how it will restore or recreate at least 24 acres of wetlands at Howland Wildlife Preserve.
Before construction, the company must also show that there will be no discharge to ground water or any contamination of surface waters during construction.
Allison said the Ohio EPA thinks the project could cause limited degradation to the wetlands' water quality, and because of that, it held a public hearing in July to allow concerned parties to comment on the possible technical, social, economic and environmental impact of the project.
Complaints: City Councilwoman Susan Hartman, D-7th, said she's heard several residents complain about proposed expansion plans at Warren Recycling, which is in her ward.
"Many of the residents never wanted [Warren Recycling] here to begin with," she said.
Issuance of the Ohio EPA certification can be appealed in writing by April 5 to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission, 236 East Town Street, Columbus 43215.
A copy must be received by the Ohio EPA director within three days of filing with the ERAC.
Further appeals can be made through civil courts.
For more information, call (614) 466-8950 or visit www.epa.state.oh.us.