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DEP gets early outpouring of opposition to landfill expansion
‘The Times-Tribune’ - 2014-12-30
Opponents write to state before comment period opens
BY KYLE WIND
Excerpts:
State regulators have already received an outpouring of opposition to Keystone Sanitary Landfill’s proposed expansion — even though the formal public comment period does not begin until Saturday.
As of Monday, about 150 people had contacted the state Department of Environmental Protection about the nearly half-century expansion plan, said agency spokeswoman Colleen Connolly.
“Most are Dunmore and Throop residents, but we did get quite a few from different communities in Lackawanna County, like Scranton and Moosic,” Ms. Connolly said. “We even got one from New Orleans from a person who used to live in the area but moved. Most of the comments are from those against the proposed expansion and have concerns about the possible health effects.”
Many of the statements were for m letters from Friends of Lackawanna, a group opposed to the expansion, but other people expressed their own thoughts.
“The awful odor that I smell in the mornings is the least of my concern,” wrote Dunmore resident Melinda Hubshman. “My true worry is for the future of my children (and) their health.”
State law will guide DEP in its decision about whether to grant Keystone’s request, Ms. Connolly said.
“This decision will be based on whether or not Keystone landfill meets (state) requirements and regulations,” she said. “The landfill has to provide the evidence and facts to back up their case for expansion. The same holds true for residents who are asking us t o deny t he expansion. They must provide evidence and proof to back up their reasons.”
Other people who are interested in sending comments to DEP can email coconnolly@pa.gov, or waste management staff at ebloxham@pa.gov or tmcgurk@pa.gov. People can send lett ers t o DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-1915.
DEP will announce public hearings and meetings, but none has been set yet.
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/dep-gets-early-outpouring-of-opposition-to-landfill-expansion-1.1810190