Director proposes closing of landfill

Approval of the license would have increased the size of the landfill.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

LISBON — Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director Chris Korleski is proposing that A&L Salvage be, well, buried.

Korleski said he has recommended that the landfill be closed, but noted that an appeal would be likely.

A&L has 30 days to file an appeal, according to Mike Settles, an OEPA spokesman.

The landfill sought an operating license to increase from 43 acres, adding an additional 229 acres.

In a letter to local residents, Korleski said, “I do not believe this facility is in compliance and it will not receive an operating license until it can be demonstrated to me that the various issues of concern have been addressed.”

The appeal would go to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission.

The construction landfill at 11255 state Route 45 can continue to operate during an appeal.

Denial by the appeals commission would stop the landfill taking debris and make it start final closing activities.

State Rep. Linda Bolon, D-1st, issued a statement shortly after the decision was announced, saying she strongly supported it.

“This company’s near-complete disregard for the state’s repeated requests to correct the unhealthy and dangerous waste-management practices at their Columbiana County facility shows that they do not care to conduct business in a responsible or law-abiding manner,” Bolon said.

“They have not been good neighbors, and it is high time that they are shown the way out of our neighborhood,” she said.

Commissioner Dan Bing, who was active in the fight against the renewal, couldn’t be reached to comment.

Commissioners helped people send their complaints about odors and other issues to Gov. Ted Strickland, a former congressman based in Lisbon. The state in turn created hotlines to report complaints.

Steven Callahan, A&L’s director of operations, did not return a call. He recently said he expected that the permit would be approved.

A new permit would allow A&L to operate during 2007. Under state rules, it’s remained in operation while renewal of its plan was considered.

Earlier this year, Korleski asked the Ohio attorney general’s office to seek financial sanctions against A&L for violations. That action is pending.

A&L paid a civil penalty of $13,000 for offenses in 2004. The landfill also had to pay a civil penalty of $56,533 in 2005 for taking solid waste when it is supposed to accept only demolition debris. Nearby residents complained about smells and voiced concerns about possible water contamination.

wilkinson@vindy.com