Date: January 16, 2009
Source: Ohio EPA
Ohio EPA Receives Changes to Apex Landfill's Application to Expand
Apex Environmental, LLC, has submitted a significantly revised application to Ohio EPA for its proposed landfill expansion in Jefferson County. The revised application reduces the scope of the expansion request for Apex Sanitary Landfill, located one mile north of State Route 646 in Amsterdam (Springfield Township).
In its revised application, the company voluntarily proposes to 1) reduce its daily waste receipts request, 2) reduce the vertical expansion for the northern slope of the landfill and 3) include information about employing odor control measures.
"I have had an opportunity to visit the landfill and speak with several people who live nearby," said Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski. "These visits gave me a chance to experience the conditions at the landfill and surrounding neighborhood and hear the concerns that many people have regarding the landfill's possible expansion." Korleski also met with company officials to discuss the community's concerns.
The new application includes the following changes:
Reduced Daily Waste Receipts Request
Apex is now requesting an increase from 5,250 tons per day to 7,500 tons per day (not 10,000 tons per day).
Reduced Vertical Expansion for Northern Slope of Landfill
Apex has proposed to alter its engineering plans to keep the existing 4-to-1 grade in place on the northern slope of the landfill. This means that the buried waste under 12 acres of the northern slope would not receive any new waste and would not need to be uncovered. Apex is still asking to vertically expand the landfill by 75 feet by changing the other three sides of the landfill to 3-to-1 grades for both existing and yet-to-be constructed areas of the landfill.
Commitment to Install Odor Control Measures
Apex has provided additional information on what measures it plans to employ in order to control odors at the landfill. The company has proposed an odor management plan that includes two major components: controlling odors from the active waste handling and disposal operations and installation of the landfill gas collection and control system. (This system will work to capture migratory gas that may contribute to any odors.)
The company's original application requested permission to increase its authorized maximum daily waste receipts from 5,250 tons per day to 10,000 tons per day. Apex also had requested permission to increase the height of the landfill by 75 feet by increasing the steepness of the slopes. Ohio EPA held a public information session on November 13, 2008, regarding Apex's original application.
Ohio EPA is currently reviewing the technical aspects of Apex's newly submitted application. If the application meets all of the requirements of Ohio's environmental laws and rules, Ohio EPA will issue Apex a draft permit-to-install (PTI) and return to the community to hold another information session and public hearing. The purpose of that hearing would be to obtain additional information for consideration before Ohio EPA issues or denies a final permit.
Ohio EPA places a high priority on public involvement and encourages citizens to become involved in the decision-making process. Ohio EPA will keep the community informed of any next steps and opportunities for public input.
A copy of Apex's new application will soon be available at the Amsterdam Lending Library at 129 Main Street in Amsterdam, Ohio, or by scheduling a file review at Ohio EPA's Southeast District Office (2195 Front Street, Logan) by first calling (740) 385-8501 or (800) 686-7330. Interested parties also may write to Ohio EPA at this address for more information.
For more information, contact:
Media Contact: Erin Strouse, (614) 644-2160
Citizen Contact: Jed Thorp, (614) 644-2160
www.epa.state.oh.us/pic/nr/2009/january/APEX.html.
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