No mega-dumps  

No Mega-Dumps News Items

Chronological listing of No Mega-Dumps posts


2016


EPA Should Hold Industry Financially Accountable for its Toxic Messes

Nov. 15, 2016: It's well past time for EPA to fulfill its mandate under Superfund to ensure that industries handling hazardous substances have the resources to conduct timely and comprehensive cleanups. We teach our children to clean up their own messes—it’s time industry did the same.

BREDL Letter to EPA


BREDL Comments on Proposed Amendments to Georgia’s Rules for Solid Waste Management Chapter 391-3-4

Aug. 10, 2016: The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has proposed adopting the US EPA’s rules, including their requirements for liner systems. However, this design is not likely to protect groundwater from contamination. The efficacy of using composite liner systems for containment of coal ash has not been demonstrated.

BREDL Comments


Person County PRIDE Calls for Megadump Closure
New Report Details Cost Saving Alternative

PCPRIDE Report

June 29, 2016: In a report released today, “Wasted: A Call for Person County to End its Relationship with Republic Services,” Person County PRIDE launched a new campaign calling for an end to decades of solid waste imports into Person County.

PC PRIDE Press Release | Report



2013


Exploration and Production Waste

Aug. 22, 2013: Recently proposed and enacted changes to North Carolina’s environmental policy, as well as solid waste and other environmental laws, increase our vulnerability to mega-dumps and other commercial waste disposal facilities. North Carolina could also be targeted for hydraulic fracturing, or E&P wastes. View BREDL Powerpoint



Senate Puts a Bull’s-eye on North Carolina

July 4, 2013: S328, also known as the “Megadump Bill”, started its journey through the General Assembly in March 2013 as a one-page document proposing to amend current law from requiring leak-proof garbage trucks to recommending them. Its current version, dozens of pages long appeared in early June and has passed the Senate. It moves to the House next week. What this bill will do.


2011


The Harnett County Connection: Dumping on a County’s Future

An Investigation by Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League

Sept. 2011: Sandhills Environmental LLC has proposed  locating a 370 acre landfill near the Johnsonville area of Harnett County, North Carolina. The landfill site is a sand mine owned and operated by G&S Materials, which is slated for  closure and reclamation. First alerted  to the landfill proposal in early August 2011 by an anonymous flyer, nearby residents have organized in opposition to the plan.


Local government activities have put the siting  process into high gear with little opportunity for public participation. The decision on granting Sandhills Environmental a franchise could come in early October 2011- only two months from the community’s first awareness of the plan. It is inherent on public officials to recognize potential conflicts and to act with integrity. Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League feels that there is ample evidence for a formal investigation of this matter.

Download the report: The Harnett County Connection



2010


BREDL comments on EPA Proposed Rule regarding definition of solid waste

Aug. 3, 2010: BREDL Comments on EPA definition of solid waste.


BREDL comments to SC Department of Health and Environmental Control on MRR Sandhills, LLC Landfill Determination of Need and Consistency

June 21, 2010: The site for this landfill near the North Carolina-South Carolina border with the primary access located in North Carolina has raised concerns across state lines. Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League chapters in Marlboro, Richmond and Scotland Counties have repeatedly voiced their objections to this project.

We support the Department’s conclusion that MRR has failed to meet the first phase of the permitting process because the landfill is not consistent with Marlboro County’s zoning ordinace. However, we do not agree that MRR has met either the Determination of Need requirement or that the landfill is consistent with Marlboro County’s Solid Waste Management Plan.

View BREDL Comments


Scotland County Rejects Landfill Expansion

June 7, 2010: Scotland County of Tomorrow, a BREDL chapter, wins victory in Scotland County. The Scotland County Board of Commissioners has voted to end a controversial landfill expansion project.

Read The Fayetteville Observer June 7 article - Scotland board puts end to landfill project


2009


BREDL Comments on Landfill Expansion

BREDL Feb. 16, 2009 comments on the Draft Permit for the Class 2 Landfill Expansion in York County, SC


2008


PC PRIDE Files Legal Challenge to Special Use Permit for Upper Piedmont Environmental Landfill

Jan. 3, 2008: BREDL chapter PC PRIDE (Person County People Rising in Defense of Ecology) has filed a legal challenge in superior court against the December 3rd decision made by the North Carolina Person County Commissioners. The commissioners voted to grant a special use permit to Republic Services of North Carolina LLC for an expansion of the Upper Piedmont Environmental Landfill.
PC PRIDE Press Release | View Court Petition

Reasons for the legal action include:
- The expansion of the landfill is not in harmony with the existing agricultural and residential uses in the Mount Tirzah area where the landfill is located.
- The proposed expansion will constitute a nuisance to the members of PC PRIDE and other members of the public.
- The property owners adjacent to and in close proximity to the landfill and proposed expansion have suffered losses of property values and an interference with health, safety and general welfare.
- PC PRIDE members were not given a fair and unbiased hearing.


2007


Photos and Articles from the "Don't Dump on Us" Tour

August 2007: The Center for Health, Environment and Justice, Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and its chapters conducted a 10-county “Don’t Dump on Us Keep North Carolina Healthy” tour urging state leaders to oppose “mega-dumps” and to adopt sound policies for dealing with solid waste in North Carolina. Photos and articles from the tour.


Summary of DENR Landfill Recommendations

March 2007: Summary of DENR recommendations for new legislation to regulate landfills.


2006


Does environmental justice for New York City mean more garbage for North Carolina?

Read David Mickey's Op-ed piece which was printed in the Sept. 11, 2006 edition of Waste News.


NC Landfill Moratorium

Aug. 07, 2006: Moratorium stops North Carolina mega-dumps


Report Finds Duplin Citizens Are Concerned About Proposed Landfill

April 17, 2006: A new University of North Carolina School of Public Health study released by a local citizens group found that Duplin County residents remain concerned about the potential for declining air quality, contamination of their wells, and lost opportunities for future parks and outdoor activities. The report, “A Community Health and Demographic Survey Near a Proposed Landfill Site in Northwestern Duplin County, NC”, found slightly elevated rates for allergies and asthma, as self-reported by residents, already existed in a two mile radius around the proposed site near Faison.
BREDL Press Release | Download the University of North Carolina School of Public Health study: "A Community Health and Demographic Survey Near a Proposed Landfill Site in Northwestern Duplin County, NC "


Download 2 great songs written and performed by local artists for BCFSE

Jan. 14, 2006: Brunswick Citizens For a Safe Environment Presents: Download 2 great songs written and performed by local artists for BCFSE in their fight against the proposed Hugo Neu auto fluff landfill.


2004


NEST celebrates closure of landfill

Nov. 05, 2004: Neighbors for Environmental Safety Today in Forsyth County, NC is celebrating the closure of the Waste Management, Inc. landfill. NEST defeated WMI expansion seven times. Chapter Spotlight: Neighbors for Environmental Safety Today, Forsyth County, NC - More details about the fight and closure of the Piedmont Landfill.


Hugo New Auto Fluff Landfill

July 17, 2004: Brunswick Citizens For A Safe Environment, a BREDL chapter, is fighting a proposed Hugo Neu auto fluff landfill in their community of Leland, NC (link to pictures, auto fluff factsheet, and additional info.) | July 10, 2004 Press Release


2003


Hydrogen Sulfide Fact Sheet

Oct. 20, 2003: Factsheet: Hydrogen Sulfide - The Human Health Effect of a Toxic Pollutant.


BREDL Factsheet on Waste Industries USA, Inc.

Sept. 11, 2003: BREDL Factsheet on Waste Industries USA, Inc. which has operations throughout North Carolina and the Southeast.


2002


Landfill discussions raise open meeting questions

March 13, 2002: Greene County Board of Commissioners and representatives of Republic Industries, a waste dump company, may have violated the state's open meetings law. The parties met to discuss their response to Citizens For Responsible Growth, a BREDL chapter. A victorious lawsuit filed by Citizens For Responsible Growth found that county commissioners failed to consider alternative landfill sites as required by the state's environmental justice law.


Supreme Court ends Virginia's efforts to limit garbage

March 3, 2002: The U.S. Supreme Court ended Virginia's efforts to limit garbage imports today by refusing to consider Virginia's appeal of last years 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling.


2001


Comments on Riegel Ridge Landfill

Dec. 10, 2001: BREDL and BREDL chapters Brunswick Environmental Defense League and Friends of Green Swamp comments on Clean Water Act, Section 404 for proposed municipal solid waste landfill by Riegel Ridge, LLC in Columbus County. UPDATE: Sept. 6, 2003: N.C. Division of Waste Management has returned the landfill application to Riegel Ridge, according to an article in the Sept. 6 Fayetteville Observer. A letter sent by the Division of Waste Management to the landfill partners stated that they have failed to show the state that they are financially qualified to design, construct and operate a landfill in an environmentally sensitive area.


Court Rules in favor for Green Citizens for Responsible Growth

June 5, 2001 - The NC Court of Appeals has ruled favorably for Green Citizens for Responsible Growth in the Greene County landfill case. The Court of Appeals has ruled that the Greene County Board of Commissioners must consider socioeconomic impacts and alternative sites to proposed landfill. more info


Court rules against limiting out-of-state waste

June 4, 2001 - The three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that laws limiting out-of-state waste, tightening restrictions on large trash-hauling trucks and banning garbage barges from three Virginia rivers are unconstitutional. more info


2000


BREDL Challenges TCLP testing of Special Wastes

November 29, 2000 - BREDL letter to NC Division of Waste Management - BREDL Challenges TCLP testing of Special Wastes: The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League requests that the NC Division of Solid Waste cease the disposal of "Special Wastes" in NC Subtitle D landfills until adequate testing methods are developed and implemented that can adequately determine the hazards of the "Special Waste" streams.


Anson County CACTUS files environmental justice complaint

November 29, 2000 - PRESS RELEASE: Anson County CACTUS files environmental justice complaint with EPA. Anson County CACTUS is requesting that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiate an investigation into the North Carolina Department of the Environment and Natural Resources' issuance of a June 1, 2000 construction permit allowing Chambers Development of North Carolina, Inc. to construct a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Facility adjacent to a predominantly African-American community in Polkton, North Carolina.


Press Conference regarding WMX Landfill

November 21, 2000 - Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and our Halifax County chapter, Citizens Against Regional Dumping, held a press conference and rally on the steps of the courthouse in Halifax, NC.  CARD members spoke against the county’s plans for a regional, commercial landfill to be operated by WMX in their community.  Details about the press conference (including photos and statements) plus a report on the landfill. UPDATE: On December 5, 2000, the Halifax Board of Commissioners released a statement which said,  "The Board of Commissioners will not consider the proposal from Waste Management Inc. for a Solid Waste Disposal Franchise.  As a result, the public hearing and action on the franchise request have been taken off the agenda.  It is the intent of the Halifax County Commissioners not to consider this proposal further."


>Federal Judge throws out Virginia Trash Laws

Feb 03, 2000 - Federal Judge throws out Virginia Trash Laws/Virginia will Appeal the decision - A federal judge has ruled against Virginia's trash laws passed by the 1999 Virginia General Assembly to limit importation of trash from New York and other out-of-state areas. The new laws were scheduled to go into effect July 1, 1999; however, in June 1999, Waste Management Holdings, three other waste-hauling companies and Charles City County, which leases land to Waste Management for a large landfill, sued Virginia challenging key provisions of the new trash statutes.


1999


ANSON COUNTY CACTUS TAKES LEGAL ACTION

Nov. 9, 1999 - ANSON COUNTY CACTUS TAKES LEGAL ACTION OPPOSING WATER QUALTIY CERTIFICATION PERMIT - Anson County Citizens Against Chemical Toxins in Underground Storage, filed a petition for a contested case against the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, for the issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification permit to Chambers Development of North Carolina, Inc. The petition was filed with in the office of administrative hearings in Raleigh.