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 Odenton residents
slam landfill plan Angry Odenton residents filled a firehall last night, worried that pollution and traffic will plague their community if the state approves plans for a controversial rubble landfill. More than 250 people packed the Odenton Volunteer Fire Department in the latest chapter of the 13-year saga of National Waste Managers' proposed 180-acre Chesapeake Terrace landfill near the Patuxent Research Center in Woodwardville. "There are already six landfills in west county, including ones in Gambrills, Fort Meade and one nearby in Bowie," said Forks of the Patuxent resident Cathy Fleshman. "We don't need another one." The public briefing, hosted by the Maryland Department of the Environment, was the first step the state must fulfill before it will issue a refuse disposal permit. The approval process is expected to take years. Mike Armstrong, an engineer for National Waste Managers, said the company wants to build 15 individual cells ranging from 5 to 15 acres. The landfill would only accept land clearing, construction and demolition debris, but could eventually accept asbestos. It could not take hazardous chemicals or household garbage. Each cell would be filled one at a time, and then sealed off and covered with vegetation. The cells will include underground liners to protect groundwater and a collection system to gather contaminated rain water seeping into the waste. "In the end, the existing facility will be reclaimed to the state it is today," Mr. Armstrong said. MDE officials, however, admitted there is no guarantee that the landfill would not pose a health risk. "There is a potential of a greater health risk," MDE Chairman Edward M. Dexter said. "But, the 1997 regulation change requiring liners for landfills will minimize that risk." Denis Canavan, county planning and zoning officer, said National must comply with numerous conditions as part of the special zoning exception needed for the project. Those include improving access to the property so that truck traffic does not clog area roads. The plan for a landfill has bounced around the court system for the last eight years, as the county unsuccessfully tried to deny it a special exception or the required inclusion in the Solid Waste Management Plan. The courts have sided with the company and its owner, developer Warren E. "Cookie" Halle. Mr. Halle, who is still suing the county for damages stemming from the dispute, sat silently in the front row at last night's meeting, and declined to comment afterward. Others at the meeting had plenty to say. "I take offense how the judiciary overstepped their bounds and got involved in legislative matter such as this," said Del. David Boschert, R-Crownsville, who voted against the landfill proposal while on the County Council several years ago. "Unfortunately, the bottom line here is money over public health, safety and the environment. West county is becoming the landfill capital of America." MDE will next review the land and water in and around the landfill. If approved, MDE then will examine the landfill's operating plan and permit application. A formal public hearing will be scheduled before a final determination is made. Published 12/04/01, Copyright © 2002 The Capital, Annapolis, Md. used with permission www.stopodentonlandfill.com |
