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This project first came to light in early spring of 2004 when Resource Recovery LLC (RRLLC) approached supervisors from both Snow Shoe and Rush Townships about a project they want to bring to the area. As far as we know RRLLC did not disclose the nature of the project until they actually met with the township supervisors. The proposal they brought to the table was a landfill, incinerator and industrial park to be constructed on a 5,800-acre parcel of land that straddles both townships. We feel the project is designed to be a massive waste facility for out-of-state trash. It has the potential to be the largest landfill east of the Mississippi. Currently RRLLC is only moving forward in Rush Township, which has no zoning ordinances. The portion of the land that sits in Snow Shoe Township is zoned forest/open space. Due to strong opposition from Snow Shoe Township, RRLLC withdrew their request to supervisors to rezone the area. The original project, per the Rush and Snow Shoe Township Host Agreement of April 2004, for this 5,800-acre site proposed the following:

• 2,300 acres of landfill footprint
• Mountains of garbage 250 - 280 feet high
• 317 million tons of garbage
• Rail yard service
• Landfill gas processing for boilers, fuel cells, microturbines
• Waste-to-energy facility
• Biorefinery (direct fired, co-fired, gasification, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis)
• Dedicated I-80 interchange
• Capacity to receive up to 9,000 tons of garbage daily

Because the trend seems to lean toward fewer but larger landfills, we feel RRLLC, or whoever is behind this project, or whoever might own the project in the future, will come back to the Snow Shoe site and try to have the property re-zoned again. This project must be stopped in its entirety. If this project gets DEP approval, it will forever change this region of Pennsylvania.

MARCH 2004

• RRLLC approaches supervisors of Rush and Snow Shoe Townships with a proposal for a massive landfill-incinerator-industrial park for a 5,800-acre parcel of land located in both townships known as the C.L.O.G. property. The Rush Township portion of the site has no zoning; the Snow Shoe Township portion of the site is zoned forest/open space.  
  

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APRIL 2004

• The Moshannon Forest Property Owners Association, a group of landowners who built camps/cabins adjacent to the C.L.O.G. property, are informed at their annual meeting about the proposed mega waste project. The property owners are shocked and outraged. They invested in property in this area for the joy and relaxation of the outdoor recreation opportunities — not to be next to a noisy, smelly megadump.
   
• Resource Recovery, LLC incorporates. This makes them a new company with no previous waste compliance records to scrutinize.  
  

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MAY 2004

• Snow Shoe Township Supervisors announce the landfill project/proposal at the regularly scheduled Snow Shoe Township monthly meeting; a committee of local citizens forms to gather information about landfills, incinerators, RRLLC, and evaluate other aspects of the proposal.
   
• Snow Shoe Township Supervisors schedule a public hearing for June 3rd to review a requested zoning variance from RRLLC to change the current zoning of the Snow Shoe portion of the property from forest/open space to industrial.
   
• RRLLC presents their project at the Rush Township monthly meeting, May 13th; very few Rush Township residents attend. Those who do complain the meeting was not adequately advertised. RRLLC's presence at the meeting surprises many of those in attendance. Residents experience relief when it appears that the Rush Supervisors plan to wait until after the Snow Shoe Township meeting on June 3rd before making any decision about the project.
   
• Snow Shoe Township citizens' committee holds its first meeting.
   
• The Rush Township supervisors hold a meeting at 11:00 a.m. on May 28th, the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend, to discuss RRLLC's proposal. After only 5 hours of deliberation, Rush Township enters into a Host Municipality Agreement with RRLLC, despite pleas from those present, including members of the Centre County Solid Waste Authority, the Centre County Planning Department and a representative from Senator Wozinak's office, to delay making a decision until after the Snow Shoe meeting. Prior to Rush signing the agreement, RRLLC said they would only proceed if both Rush and Snow Shoe Townships are onboard. Once the agreement is signed, an RRLLC representative announces they will move ahead even if Snow Shoe rejects their proposal. The Rush Township Supervisors made a decision that will alter this region forever just 15 days after hearing RRLLC's proposal for what could ultimately be the largest landfill east of the Mississippi.
   
• Handmade signs appear throughout the Mountaintop Region alerting residents about the dump and the zoning variance request.  
  

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JUNE 2004

• Snow Shoe Township holds its public hearing to consider the zoning variance request submitted by RRLLC. Thanks to the local citizens' committee, the meeting at the Moshannon Community Center is well advertised and heavily attended. RRLLC presents their idea to the Snow Shoe Township Supervisors and approximately 500+ residents and concerned citizens. Opposition to the project is so overwhelming, RRLLC walks out of the meeting. Centre County Commissioner, Chris Exarchos, summarizes the meeting as a fine example of Democracy.
   
• The Centre County Commissioners mobilize to minimize the countywide impact posed by this project. The Commissioners, at the recommendation of the planning office, decide to amend the county's subdivision and land-use ordinance for monitoring projects of regional significance.
   
• RRLLC withdraws its request for the zoning change in Snow Shoe Township.
   
• WJAC-TV News discovers $8.5 million dollars in the state budget for RRLLC to build and repair 17 miles of rail in Centre and Clearfield counties to service their dump. This line item, which can stay in the budget for six years waiting for approval, was included at the request of Senator Stout of Washington County. Senator Stout did not consult with local legislators about this item and has no connection with central Pennsylvania so why is he proposing $8.5 million dollars for RRLLC? RRLLC stated from the beginning their project would be a privately funded venture. Both Representative Mike Hanna and Representative Bud George express their objection to this budget item to Governor Rendell. NOTE: As of April 2005 PPC has faxed over 2,000 signatures to the Governor opposing this budget item. Let the Governor know you oppose state money funding RRLLC's dump.
   
• Both Herb Flosdorf, Vice President of RRLLC, and Ed Abel, President of RRLLC, refuse to name other partners in their venture, but expect it to cost hundreds of millions of dollars according to a Lancaster New Era article (June 9, 2004). They portray the area as a brownfield due to some former mining on the site. However, Centre County Land Office records indicate over 5,200 acres of the 5,800 acre parcel are wooded. USGS maps indicate there are also 17.8 miles of perennial streams on the site as well.  
  

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JULY 2004

• A Point of Access (POA) traffic study for the I-80 interchange is conducted by Rettew Associates. Automatic traffic recorders were set to collect data for 10 days. RRLLC considers the most important section of this POA to be the "Purpose Section" where they attempt to "sell" the economic benefits of the project.  
  

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AUGUST 2004

• RRLLC announces plans to build a "state-of-the-art" bioreactor landfill. NOTE: According to DEP, RRLLC is applying for a standard landfill, not a bioreactor. Was this announcement a PR move by RRLLC, or is this evidence that the site is not suitable for a "state-of-the-art" bioreactor landfill?
   
• Rush Township submits a Point-of-Access Request (POA) to the PennDOT District 2-0 office on behalf of RRLLC for an I-80 interchange to service the dump; private entities, such as RRLLC, cannot request exits on interstates. This interchange is required per the signed host agreement. The proposed interchange will connect to local roads via Peale Road in Rush Township and Gorton Road in Snow Shoe Township. This proposed interchange requires approval from the Federal Highway Administration.
   
• The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania posts Elk Scenic Highway signs in Snow Shoe. Centre County is designated part of the "Pennsylvania Wilds."
   
• Section 8 of the Centre County Municipal Waste Ordinance surfaces. Section 8 states:

  No Additional Facilities. No additional municipal waste landfills, incinerators, waste disposal facility, processing facility, resource recovery facility, recycling facility, or facilities of similar nature shall be located within the County unless such facility is provided for in the Plan or approved by Centre Authority.

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OCTOBER 2004

• Herb Flosdorf, Vice President of RRLLC, unveils a new "Master Plan" for the newly named "Tewar Landfill" during a surprise visit to the Centre County Commissioner's weekly meeting. Although downsized, the plan still includes between 700 and 800 acres of landfill space.
   
• Governor Rendell travels the Elk Scenic Drive through Snow Shoe and Moshannon to Route 144. Concerned citizens who oppose the dump post signs along Rendell's route through Snow Shoe and Moshannon.  
  

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DECEMBER 2004

• RRLLC officially negotiates an agreement (over the Thanksgiving holiday) with the Headwaters Charitable Trust regarding 9.3 miles of the Snow Shoe Rails-to-Trails. This 9.3 miles of public rail-trail which includes the Peale Tunnel and Viaduct Bridge, two structures recognized by many for their history and unique characteristics, could be lost to trash trains if the dump is approved.  
  

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• A new name, People Protecting Communities, is selected for our grassroots organization to encompass our growing support.
   
• The Centre Region Council of Governments, an organization that represents approximately two-thirds of the population of Centre County, votes unanimously to send a letter to Governor Rendell stating their opposition to any state funding for RRLLC's project. They express concern about the "safety, environmental, and economic consequences of the project."
   
• State Representative Camille "Bud" George exposes a separate landfill proposal/project in Boggs Township, Clearfield County after being notified by DEP (approximately 16-20 miles from RRLLC's proposed landfill). Boggs Township supervisors entered into a host agreement with PA Waste LLC in September 2004. Township residents were not told about the landfill until January 2005 — another case of shock and outrage.  
  

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FEBRUARY 2005

• Clearfield County Commissioners publicly oppose the Boggs Township landfill and draft letters to Governor Rendell and state government representatives stating the need for more control over landfill issues at local levels. Kudos to the Clearfield County Commissioners!
   
• Centre County Board of Commissioners' hold first their town-hall meeting in Rush Township. It becomes an impromptu forum to air concerns about the Rush Township landfill. The Commissioners agree to meet with People Protecting Communities to look for "loopholes" to stop the landfill.  
  

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MARCH 2005

• Camille "Bud" George, Chairman of the PA House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, calls for swift adoption of his legislation, House Bill 326 (reintroduced in 2007 Session as House Bill 508). This legislation would freeze new landfill and incinerator permits for a period of three years to end Pennsylvania's reign as America's Dumping Ground.
   
• PA Waste, LLC presents details of the proposed landfill in Boggs Township, Clearfield County, at a public meeting at the Harbor Inn in Philipsburg. This meeting leaves concerned citizens with more questions than answers.
   
• Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) votes 7-3 to send a letter urging Governor Rendell not to support state funding for the dump. The agreement made between RRLLC and the Headwaters Charitable Trust with regards to the Snow Shoe Rail-Trail is also discussed at this same meeting. Concerns are expressed that the replacement rail-trail will not be a "connectivity trail" and RRLLC may not be able to honor the 300-yard buffers as was indicated when the CCMPO approved funds to repair the Peale Tunnel in January of 2005.
   
• The Moshannon Creek Watershed Coalition, a preservation/conservation group, accepts a multi-million dollar deal with RRLLC knowing this will help RRLLC to obtain DEP permit approval for the landfill. MCWC is notified that they are no longer welcome to attend the Red Mo Race and Sierra Club events. Representative "Bud" George feels MCWC "sold its soul" by negotiating a deal with a landfill developer. Is it coincidence that MCWC's Articles of Incorporation only went on file with Pennsylvania on March 8, 2004?
   
• Dr. Paul Connett, a world famous chemist, advocate of zero waste, and opponent of landfills and incinerators, challenges RRLLC's Herb Flosdorf to an open debate. Connett schedules speaking engagements throughout Centre County and tours the woodlands slated to be a landfill. Flosdorf folds stating "We are not yet prepared to address many of the issues related to our proposed project."  
  

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APRIL 2005

• The Northwest Caucus of the Democratic Caucus delivers a letter to Governor Rendell opposing the use of any state funds to support RRLLC's project, the I-80 interchange, and the Centre County Landfill. This letter is signed by 10 members of the House of Representatives.
   
• RRLLC renames their project. The proposed landfill will now be called the Resource Recovery Landfill instead of the Tewar Landfill.  
  

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MAY 2005

• People Protecting Communities schedules a meeting with DEP. They discuss permitting procedures, the opportunity for public input, and confirm the fact there is a substantial amount of interest in this project.  
  

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JUNE 2005

• RRLLC submits a subdivision request to the Centre County Planning Office. RRLLC wants to divide the property into three lots: a lot for the landfill (wholly in Rush Township), a lot for Commercial/Industrial Use (wholly in Rush Township), and a lot earmarked as Resource Conservation and Seasonal Use (wholly in Snow Shoe Township). The plan is rejected as an "Incomplete Submission;" that is, RRLLC needs to present more information. Any subdivision by RRLLC will fall under the amended Ordinance No. 3 of 2004, Developments of Regional Significance.
   
• PennDOT approval is still not forthcoming for the I-80 interchange. Additional information has been requested at least three times that PPC is aware of since the completion of the POA last July. There is a possibility if the I-80 interchange is not approved the Rush Township Supervisors would be willing to amend the Host Municipality agreement to exclude the need for the I-80 interchange and local roads in neighboring townships would be used to transport garbage to the site. This runs counter to the ongoing RRLLC pledge of "no exit, no dump."

RRLLC pitched the I-80 interchange to DEP in April 2004 saying they will provide a new exit off I-80 which would access the site so no local roads would be used.

"The entire project is contingent on obtaining approval to construct an interchange to the landfill from Interstate 80." —Herb Flosdorf of RRLLC, October 2004, Centre Daily Times

"It [RRLLC] won't build a municipal waste landfill in Rush Township unless it can build an interchange on I-80 so trucks can access the site directly." —RRLLC, February 2005, Centre Daily Times

• People Protecting Communities sponsors a community-wide meeting to inform people about the events of the past year and what they need to do to continue to the fight to stop the dump.

"It's been just more than a year since hundreds of people filled the Moshannon Community Center and overflowed into the parking lot to voice their opposition to the proposed landfill straddling Snow Shoe and Rush townships. During the past year, People Protecting Communities was formed and last night, the group sponsored an informational session about what has happened during that time." June 17, 2005, The Progress

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JULY 2005

• The Centre County Planning Commission, at the request of the Federal Highway Administration, conducted a study to determine if the proposed dump and interchange is consistent with local land use. Upon completion of the study the Planning Commission determined that the proposed project is not consistent with local land use.

"By and large, when you look at what's happening in Snow Shoe, that area's had planning for years and it's developed into a recreation (and) tourism area with lots of open space," planning director Bob Jacobs said. "That has followed in that area of Rush Township. And you introduce a landfill? No." July 2005, Centre Daily Times.

"...this recommendation does not mean the planning office prefers the use of local roads as asserted by Rush Township supervisors at their meeting and Resource Recovery LLC in its full-page advertisements in The Progress." July 2005, The Progress

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AUGUST 2005

• Kudos to the Centre County Planning Commission!

  BELLEFONTE — In a move cheered by opponents to a proposed landfill in Rush Township, the Centre County Planning Commission voted 4-1 Tuesday to accept a staff report indicating a proposed interchange providing access to the site was inconsistent with the county's existing plans.
  —August 17, 2005, Centre Daily Times

  Thanks to all that attended this meeting, wrote, faxed or emailed concerns, and especially to those who voiced concerns that Tuesday evening. Planning Commission Chairman, Bob Corman, could not recall a more heavily attended Planning Commission meeting than this August 16, 2005 meeting with 40 plus visitors in attendance.
   
  PPC is grateful to the Planning Commission for permitting a very lengthy public comment period (approx 2 hours). After listening to the RRLLC team of Herb Flosdorf and George Rettew tell our county planners what was wrong with the Planning Office study the floor was opened to the public and 11 people voiced their support for the Planning Department's report.
   
  Many good points were made from Michele Barbin's comment about lowballing on the tons per day (TPD). (Flosdorf stated at this meeting it would be 4,000 — another new number — when RRLLC's revised master plan from Sept 04 actually states 5,000 - 9,000 TPD), to Ken Hall's comment that allowing Rettew Associates (who also work for RRLLC) to structure a comprehensive plan for Rush Township is like "letting the fox in the chicken coop," to how Ed Walsh related an elephant's "dirty" business to RRLLC's lack of credibility, to Planning Commission member Tom Hoover's question about why build an interchange for just 8 trucks per hour (basing his calculation on RRLLC's new figure of 4,000 TPD and 20 tons per truck), to Planning Director Bob Jacobs' comments to Rush Township that the County has tried for years to work with them on developing a comprehensive plan and zoning even up to the hour before they signed a host agreement with Resource Recovery, but prior to this project they were not interested in any land-use planning. Needless to say we are very pleased with the outcome of this meeting.
   
• As per a special meeting advertised in The Progress on 8/23, the Rush Township Supervisors held a meeting August 24 to consider amending their Host Municipality Agreement with RRLLC to allow the use of local roads. The current Host Agreement states that garbage trucks would have to access the landfill from an I-80 interchange. Now that RRLLC is running into obstacles in trying to secure an I-80 interchange, however, they are threatening to use local roads and encouraging the Rush Township Supervisors to amend the Host Municipality Agreement. The Supervisors have agreed to a 30-day waiting period before formally voting on this issue.
  

  "Resource Recovery," Flosdorf said, "will only go forward with Route 53 if it gets the 'blessing' of Rush Township."
  —August 24, 2005, Centre Daily Times

  The Rush Township residents in attendance pointed out this isn't just a Rush Township issue, it affects other communities, and Rush Township should be a good neighbor. We hope the Rush Township Supervisors take their residents' comments seriously and do not proceed with any changes to the Host Municipality Agreement. 
  

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SEPTEMBER 2005

• Thank you, Centre County Commissioners!

  BELLEFONTE — Opponents of a proposed landfill in Rush Township applauded as county commissioners agreed unanimously that building an Interstate 80 interchange to serve the landfill is inconsistent with the county's plans for growth. —September 14, 2005, Centre Daily Times

  We are very pleased the Centre County Commissioners voted unanimously to endorse the findings of the County Planning Commission and its staff, which determined that an I-80 interchange, between Snow Shoe and Kylertown, was inconsistent with local land-use planning. A big thank you to all who called, wrote, faxed or emailed their concerns to the Commissioners and a special thank you to those who attended the meeting.
   
• Thank you, Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization!

  In a unanimous voice vote, the Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization coordinating committee said that the proposed I-80 interchange is not consistent with the county's long-range transportation plans. —September 28, 2005, Centre Daily Times

  The College Township Municipal Building was packed by opponents to the proposed interchange, landfill and industrial park, anxious to hear what the county commissioners and county planning commission already said: the plans are inconsistent with the county's goals. —September 29, 2005, The Progress

  This was by far one of the most incredible shows of support we have experienced outside of the June 3, 2004 Snow Shoe Township meeting. More than twenty people offered testimony as to why Centre County officials should reject the proposed interchange and dump. We presented a strong, united voice that spoke a very clear message: We do not want this interchange or dump project in Centre County.
   
• News from the Governor's Office: Since July of 2004 we have faxed over 2,500 signatures to the Governor's office as well as area legislators opposing state funding for the RRLLC dump project. We originally thought they were only eligible for $8.5 million for rail rehabilitation. But we have received two replies from the Governor's office with regards to these petitions causing us to rethink this position. The first letter dated January 4, 2005, stated this project could be eligible to receive funding from the Transportation Assistance Program. We assumed that was related to the $8.5 million for rail rehabilitation. But the second letter dated September 8, 2005, states that this project has been considered for possible State Redevelopment Assistant grants! We have written to the Governor's office asking why this company is being considered for ANY state funding. Let the Governor know you are adamantly opposed to this company receiving any state monies! (Download a sample letter here.)
   
  Read what Senator Corman has to say about this funding issue. 
  

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OCTOBER 2005

• We held our second free public showing of our 22-minute film, Stop the Landfill at the historic Rowland Theater in Philipsburg. This movie, produced by Mary Vollero and Peter Warren, was funded by a Huplits Grant awarded to People Protecting Communities through the Moshannon Group of the Sierra Club. We are extremely grateful to our local Sierra Club for making this project a reality.

  The Peale Tunnel, Viaduct Bridge, Red Moshannon canoe and kayak race and scenic elk drive were just a few of the area landmarks and events featured in a 22-minute movie about the landfill that played on the big screen at the Rowland Theatre yesterday afternoon.
  —October 3, 2005, The Progress

• At their October 13th regular monthly meeting the Rush Township Supervisors voted to amend their current Host Municipality Agreement to allow the use of local roads:

  "Supervisors were met with jeers as they unanimously voted in favor of the changes.... An impromptu hand vote by residents showed all but one opposed it.... Last night's amendment removed the paragraph from the host municipality agreement that required all waste haulers, except those specifically designated by Snow Shoe Township, to use Interstate 80 as the ingress and egress route to the landfill." —The Progress, October 14, 2005

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NOVEMBER 2005

• Great News for Pennsylvania Dump Fighters from the Department of Environmental Protection! The Pennsylvania State Supreme Court has upheld the legality of the Harms-Benefit test, probably the most important tool for communities fighting proposed landfills:

  HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has upheld Department of Environmental Protection regulations that require landfill operators to show proposed landfill construction or expansion will generate social and economic benefits that clearly outweigh potential environmental harms. —DEP Press Release, November 1, 2005

  HARRISBURG — State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, Democratic chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today said a recent state Supreme Court ruling provides hope for citizens fighting unneeded and unwanted landfills. —News Release, November 2, 2005

  "It's a victory for the public and a victory for all Pennsylvania," said David J. Gromelski, an environmental attorney who has represented a handful of defendants in lawsuits against Alliance. "It's refreshing to have the court confirm that (regulation) was designed to protect the public health, safety and welfare of all citizens, and it's not just a simplistic avenue for the permitting of landfills." —The Scranton Times-Tribune, November 1, 2005

  Since Resource Recovery LLC plans to submit an application for their mega dump to the DEP in March of 2006, this news assures that the public will continue to have a strong voice in the permitting process for landfills through the Harms-Benefit analysis.
   
• Thank you, Moshannon Group of the Sierra Club! MGSC hosted a Walkin' Jim Stoltz "Forever Wild" Concert on Saturday, November 5th to benefit PPC. Walkin' Jim gets his name from over 26,000 miles he has hiked through the wild country of North America. Carrying a guitar and writing his songs along the way, Walkin' Jim's lyrics express a great love and respect for the Earth and the wild places he knows so well. If you ever have an opportunity to attend a Walkin' Jim night of song, please do! You are guaranteed an enjoyable evening of song, special stories, and an awesome slide show of breathtaking photography which documents America's wild places. We would like to thank MGSC for introducing us to and bringing this fine gentleman to our area on our behalf. MGSC graciously donated the proceeds from this show to PPC to help "Stop the Centre County Dump." For more on Walkin' Jim, to order CDs, or inquire about his book, click here.
   
• Centre County Commissioners approve Developments of Regional Significance Ordinance
  

  BELLEFONTE — Developers of large-scale developments in Centre County now have more stringent requirements to meet. Yesterday, commissioners approved an amendment to an ordinance that gives the county a voice in "developments of regional significance," including a proposed landfill in Rush Township. —The Progress, November 30, 2005

  Those of us who attended the Tuesday, November 29th meeting were quite surprised when Mr. John Blasko, of the firm McQuaide Blasko, spoke onbehalf of their client, Resource Recovery, LLC. Despite Mr. Blasko's request that the Commissioners postpone taking any action regarding the ordinance at this meeting, the Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt it. With considerable growth and urban sprawl taking place in Centre County we applaud our Centre County Commissioners for taking this important step to protect the health, safety, and quality of life of all Centre County citizens.
   
  According to a letter obtained from a DEP file review from Mr. Ed Abel of RRLLC to Mr. William Tafuto dated June 30, 2005, there were at least four other sites that were considered for landfill development. Three of the five parcels (including the Rush and Snow Shoe Township site) are in central Pennsylvania. The site in Rush and Snow Shoe Townships was selected primarily because of possible access to I-80. One has to wonder if the I-80 access is in jeopardy, might RRLLC reconsider one of the other four sites? Hopefully if your neighborhood is adjacent to one of these other sites, your county or municipality has a similar ordinance or zoning in place.

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DECEMBER 2005

• Lancaster County-based Resource Recovery filed an appeal of the Developments of Regional Significance ordinance in the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County on Thursday, just meeting the 30-day deadline for appeal. County commissioners adopted the ordinance Nov. 29. —Centre Daily Times, December 31, 2005

  Once again, Happy Holidays from RRLLC! RRLLC's State College attorney, John Blasko, is asking the court to declare the Developments of Regional Significance Ordinance (DRSO) invalid. The DRSO applies to projects that are more than 200 acres in size, are located in more than one municipality or have an excessive impact on traffic. The RRLLC appeal claims a hearing on the ordinance was not held properly, that the ordinance oversteps the county commissioners' authority, that it is "arbitrary" and does not apply to all landowners in the same way, and that it "imposes the zoning restrictions of one municipality" onto another. The complaint also says Mr. Blasko was limited to 20 minutes during the public hearing for the ordinance.
   
  Although the ordinance took more than a year to draft, the county did not receive any feedback from the company during that time. Commissioner Exarchos pointed out, "There was ample opportunity for them to come in during that year-long drafting process and raise any concerns they have."
   
  Not only is RRLLC challenging the County's Developments of Regional Significance Ordinance (DRSO), they have also indicated their plans to use local roads in Snow Show Township to access their proposed dumpsite. They plan to submit a request to PennDOT for a Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) for State Route 53 in Moshannon.
  
  
• Rush Township unveils its "new" Comprehensive Plan in an attempt to make the landfill project consistent with local land use. A division of Rettew Associates, the firm working for RRLLC to secure approval for the I-80 Interchange, was hired by Rush Township for $35,000 to develop a Rush Township comprehensive plan (The Progress, 07/15/05).
  
  Development of a comprehensive plan, something the Rush Township Supervisors say will guide their township for the next 20 years, is usually a time-consuming process. However, Rettew Associates was able to complete the plan draft in less than 6 months and advertise it for 45-days of written public comment on December 21, 2005.
  
  This "new" plan is nearly identical to a comprehensive plan considered but never adopted 20 years ago while the same two supervisors, Jack Shannon and Patrick E. Couturiaux, were in office. Although these two supervisors deny the rush to adopt a plan now is driven by the landfill project, the only significant difference in the current plan when compared to the 1986/87 plan is the designation for the area slated for the dump.
  
  In the original plan this area was classified as forest/open space/ recreational. Even though there have been no transportation improvements nor water and sewage infrastructure added, and the areas surrounding and adjoining this land have developed into a popular outdoor recreation mecca, this same area is now labeled 'Industrial Enterprise Zone' in the new Rush Township Comprehensive Plan— proper planning or dump driven?
  
  Dump driven. Rush Township has no choice but to designate the proposed landfill area with an industrial classification because Page 9, Item 23 'Obligations of Township' of the signed Rush Township Host Municipality Agreement clearly states Rush Township "will not interfere with or oppose the permitting, re-permitting, or permit modifications... of the Landfill, or pass any ordinances or regulations regulating or interfering with the operation of the Landfill."

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