LORDSTOWN Operations to begin at construction landfill

The landfill has been under fire from neighbors and legislators for more than a year.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- A construction and demolition debris landfill is set to begin operations today, more than a year after announcement of its state approval.
Tim Page, operations manager for LaFarge Corp., confirmed that Lordstown Construction Recovery is ready to begin accepting debris by rail and truck.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency "will be here first thing in the morning, and then things will be ready to go," he said.
LCR will operate on property owned by its parent company, LaFarge, on Newton Falls-Bailey Road. Currently the site operates as a slag dump.
The facility first received permits and authorization from the Ohio EPA to operate more than a year ago, but construction wasn't completed until a few weeks ago.
Against the landfill
Throughout that year, area residents, environmentalists and legislators have worked to block the opening. Petitions, rallies and public meetings became the norm for those opposed to LCR. Complaints ranged from the anticipated noise and dust levels to failure of LaFarge to comply with proper permitting procedures.
The fight by neighbors led to the development of Citizens Around LaFarge Landfill, led by Lordstown resident Lauraine Breda. The group has also worked with other Trumbull County residents to fight a similar landfill at Warren Hills Recycling and with state legislators to introduce legislation to place stricter guidelines on future landfills.
State Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles, D-65th, and state Sen. Marc Dann of Liberty, D-33rd, have introduced companion pieces of legislation into both sides of the Legislature that would require stricter licensing procedures for new landfills in Ohio, as well as give the EPA more discretion is issuing such licenses.
Each bill has received a first hearing, and both are pending.
slshaulis@vindy.com