February 10, 2006
by Jaime Bumbarger
Mo Valley Bureau Chief
Reproduced with permission.

Circulation Manager:
Cindy Aughenbaugh
Phone: 814-765-5581
Fax: 814-765-5165

Supervisors Divided on Landfill Development's Plans for Private Sewer System

PHILIPSBURG -- Rush Township supervisors were split on whether or not to approve an amendment to its Act 537 plan to accommodate the sewage disposal plans of Resource Recovery LLC, a developer proposing a landfill and industrial park in the township.

RRLCC proposes to use a private sanitary sewer system to collect, convey and treat wastewater on two lots of the property. Lot No.1, which consists of roughly 1,500 acres that would house the landfill and offices, would be designed to handle approximately 110,000 gallons per day of sewage, and Lot No. 2, which consists of approximately 950 acres housing the industrial park, would be designed to handle approximately 40,000 gallons per day of sewage, according to plans. The wastewater treatment plant would have a stream discharge into the Moshannon Creek, which borders the site to the west.

This discharge concerns Steven Knowles, supervisor. "The amount of flow into the Moshannon Creek concerns me. I want to make sure it won't affect the wildlife or anything," he said.

The plan was first before the board of supervisors last month, but Mr. Knowles, who was at his first meeting as a newly-elected supervisor, asked for more time to review it.

Although his fellow supervisors, Pat Couturiaux and Jack Shannon, and the township's engineer said the request was just a formality, Mr. Knowles cast the lone dissenting vote against the resolution.

Tom Levine of Richard H. Bulger and Associates, the township's engineer of record, said the township's Act 537 plan must be amended with the state Department of Environmental Protection anytime a development, whatever the scope, is proposed. In his opinion, he said he did not think the township could refuse because it was an improvement to the Act 537 plan.

Mr. Knowles said he would have preferred even more time to review it, not just for the environmental concerns but also because he has heard a lot of concerns from residents.

"Personally, I would like to make sure that every avenue is covered for all things related to Resource Recovery LLC," he said.

The next item before the board of supervisors that relates to the landfill is the township's comprehensive plan. A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the township building. A special supervisors' meeting immediately follows the hearing.

On Monday, the township planning commission heard comments from numerous people who felt the comprehensive plan was catered to RRLLC.

Mr. Knowles said he has had the opportunity to review the comprehensive plan but would like to review it again before next week.

He said he just wants to make sure the township gets what it is promised because he has seen instances in the past where the township is, in essence, left holding the bag.

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