WVEC Action Alert

October 28 , 2005

McDowell County Mega-Landfill Proposed

The McDowell County Solid Waste Authority has applied for a permit to construct a Class A landfill near the town of Welch that will be able to take in up to 50,000 tons of garbage and tires a month if approved by the DEP.   As proposed, the size of the disposal area would be 106 acres with a total of 1,600 acres included in the landfill permit.

A mega-landfill for McDowell County has been under discussion for years.   Several years ago county residents approved building such a landfill by referendum, but shortly afterward financing for the proposal fell through.  

A landfill of this size is not necessary for the waste needs of this area, but some county officials from the beginning have been eyeing the extra revenues that could be generated for the county by accepting out-of-state garbage.

If you have concerns about this project, DEP is accepting public comments initially until November 10 and will hold a public hearing in Welch on the evening of November 10.   After the public hearing, public comments will again be accepted until November 21.

The DEP permit application notice with details about submitting comments and attending the public hearing is posted below.

Public Notice

Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water & Waste Management
Office of Waste Management
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV   25304
(304) 926-0465

Application For West Virginia Solid Waste Landfill Major Modification
And Notice Of Public Hearing

Permit notice no.:               SW-09-05
Paper:   The Welch News, P. O. Box 569, Welch, WV   24801
Public notice dates:     October 10, 2005
Public notice dates:     October 17, 2005                 

The following has applied to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for a solid waste landfill permit major modification.  

Applicant:                    McDowell County Solid Waste Authority
24 Elkhorn Street
Welch, West Virginia   24801

Application no.:           SWF-1033/WV0109568
Location:          Route 7, approximately two miles north of Welch in McDowell County
Activity:           Municipal Solid Waste Landfill

This permit allows a permitted acreage of 1,600 acres, with a permitted disposal area of 106 acres.

The applicant may receive a maximum of 50,000 tons monthly of the following types of waste:   solid waste as defined in W. Va. Code Chapter 22, Article 15, Section 2(27) and as listed in 33CSR1 Section 2.114.   Wastewater treatment plant solids, non-hazardous industrial process solid wastes, and non-hazardous sludge will only be accepted after approval by the Division of Water & Waste Management.   Tires may be used in the landfill in accordance with W. Va. Code and 33CSR5.

The waste will originate from the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. The leachate will be collected and piped to the city of Welch’s wastewater treatment facility, or trucked to alternate facilities if for any reason the city of Welch’s wastewater treatment plant cannot accept the leachate.

The facility is located on Shannon Branch of the Tug Fork River in McDowell County.   The center of the site is 37o 28' 43" N latitude, and 81o 35' 37" W longitude.

On the basis of review of the application, the Solid Waste Management Act, Chapter 22, Article 15, Sections 5(b) and 5(c); and the West Virginia Solid Waste Management Rule 33CSR1, the state of West Virginia will act on the above application.

Interested persons may submit written comments during the 30-day public comment period, which begins on October 10, 2005 and ends on November 10, 2005 to the following address:

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Water & Waste Management
Office of Waste Management
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV   25304
Attention:   Leslie Oaks

Comments received within this time period will be considered prior to any state action on the subject application.   Correspondence should include the name, address, and telephone number of the writer and a concise statement of the nature of the issues addressed.

The draft permit will be on file for public review during the comment period at the DEP regional office located at 116 Industrial Drive, Oak Hill, WV   25901, (304) 465-1919; between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.   To receive a copy of the permit application or draft permit, please contact Leslie Oaks at the Division of Water and Waste Management, Office of Waste Management, 601 57th Street SE, Charleston, WV 25304, (304) 926-0499, ext 1266; between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A public hearing will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at the Mount View High School Auditorium, Welch, WV.   After the public hearing, the comment period will be extended until Monday, November 21, 2005.