August 12, 2006
by Jaime Bumbarger
Mo Valley Bureau Chief
Reproduced with permission.

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Web site features landfill information

Webhead Note: Click here to read the DEP News Release

WILLIAMSPORT— The state Department of Environmental Protection launched a Web site to help keep the public up to date on a proposed landfill in Rush Township.

Yesterday, DEP announced information related to the Resource Recovery LLC project is now accessible via the Internet.

"When DEP met with local municipalities in June to discuss the Resource Recovery landfill permit application, a suggestion was made that important information should be posted on the Web to give easy access to citizens seeking information on the proposed waste facility" Robert Yowell, DEP Northcentral Regional Office director, said in a press release.

A representative of state Sen. Jake Corman (R-34, Bellefonte) made the request at the LMIP, or Local Municipal Involvement Process, meeting.

DEP previously launched a similar Web site containing information regarding the Interstate 99 acid rock remediation efforts at Skytop.

JoAnn Gillette, a member of People Protecting Communities, an anti-landfill group, praised DEP's decision to launch the Web site, saying she was happy DEP followed through with the suggestion.

The Web site includes a brief summary of the proposal, as well as sections for a announcements and "milestones." No announcements were posted on the Web site as of this morning, but several pieces of correspondence between DEP, the applicant, Centre County and Rush and Snow Shoe townships, are posted on the "milestones" link.

DEP plans to post information associated with all RRLLC permit applications, not just its municipal waste landfill application.

"DEP will keep this information as current as possible, and we hope citizens will visit the Web site to stay informed as we proceed through the review process," Mr. Yowell said.

To view the information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, then click on the "Northcentral" link, followed by the "Community Involvement" link, then the "Proposed Regional Landfills" link.

Daniel Spadoni, regional spokeman, said DEP intends to use the Web site to post information about all proposed landfills in the Northcentral Region, including PA Waste LLC's proposed landfill in Boggs Township, Clearfield County. As of yet, though, the company has not submitted its permit application to DEP.

Currently, the Rush Township project is at a standstill while the company responds to DEP's request for more information. DEP determined the permit application was "administratively incomplete" and asked that RRLLC clarify two issues associated with ownership. First, it asks RRLLC to clarify who owns the mineral rights at the proposed site. Law prohibits a landfill be permitted over recoverable coal unless the permittee owns the mineral rights to the coal, DEP's July 18 letter to RRLLC says. RRLLC does not currently own the proposed site, but does have a purchase agreement in place. DEP is inquiring whether or not this purchase agreement includes the mineral rights.

Also, DEP is requesting a copy of a parcel map and deed, in addition to asking RRLLC to verify leasehold interests and whether or not the landowner consent provided in the application overrides these leaseholders' rights.

RRLLC has 90 days to respond to the letter or its application will be denied, but Jack Shannon, Rush Township supervisor, said RRLLC had already responded to DEP.

Once DEP deems the application "administratively complete," it will begin its harms versus benefits review and a public meeting and hearing will be scheduled.

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©2005-2006 People Protecting Communities • last updated Aug 18, 2006
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