Sunday, September 30, 2007
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON — A decision is pending on whether the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will grant another operating permit to a landfill in portions of three Columbiana County townships.
The A&L Landfill at 11255 state Route 45 has remained open during the OEPA’s review.
State environmental officials, however, have cited the landfill again while the review is under way.
Dan Bing, a Columbiana County commissioner, said the commissioners haven’t formally opposed the permit, but they “are not happy” with the operation, adding, “We want it cleaned up.”
OEPA Director Chris Korleski would have to make the call to close the landfill or allow it to continue operating, and there would be an appeal process.
Under the permit renewal proposal, A&L would be able to expand, said Steven Callahan, A&L director of operations.
The state and A&L have similar numbers when it comes to the landfill. The OEPA says the landfill has 43 acres it is using, and it wants to add another 229.
Callahan said A&L has 181 licensed acres, but is using only 42 acres now. It wants to add about 80 more acres, to bring the total acreage to 260. The landfill is in portions of Center, Elkrun and Madison townships.
Previous citations
Earlier this year, Korleski asked the Ohio Attorney General’s office to seek financial sanctions against A&L.
Last September, 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.
Last August, the OEPA notified the landfill it was violating air pollution standards for hydrogen sulfide, dust limits and asbestos handling.
No penalty has been imposed, according to OEPA spokesman Mike Settles. The information also was passed on to the attorney general’s office.
The hydrogen sulfide at the landfill creates a bad smell. Settles said it may be coming from the paper on the outside of plasterboard used in construction.
Inspectors also found the landfill was using the same improper methods for disposing of asbestos that resulted in the earlier violations.
Registering complaints
In a letter to A&L, Korleski said he had no vendetta against the company but was taking actions based on its performance.
Callahan said material arrives at the landfill that OEPA inspectors can’t identify as construction debris. He said that even though A&L turns the material away “we still get a violation [from the state].”
Callahan also to put to rest a complaint that there was an underground fire at the facility.
“There never really was one,” Callahan said. He said landfills often heat up because of composting.
Callahan said he does expect the permit eventually will be approved.
In the meantime, the OEPA says people can e-mail complaints or concerns to Melissa Fazekas, its deputy director of communications, at melissa.fazekas@epa.state.oh.us.
People also may register odor complaints on Ohio EPA’s Odor Hotline at (330) 963-1212. Callers will hear a recording and be asked to leave a message with specific information.
wilkinson@vindy.com