8-Year Permit Extension to Seneca Falls Landfill Hotly Debated

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has granted extension of permit by another 8 years to the Seneca Meadows landfill in Seneca Falls, New York. As per media report, the permit is now being extended until December 31, 2025, subject to certain new operating conditions from the DEC. The permit also covers the landfill’s tire recycling facility. The renewal of the permit is open to a public comment period.

The 29-page permit issued and signed by DEC Region 8 permit administrator Scott Sheeley keeps all other permit conditions except those related to odor control the same. The landfill’s trash acceptance capacity was also kept unchanged at 6,000 tons per day. It must be noted that the DEC decision is against the wish of residents. Nearly 80% of the email comments had opposed the extension of permit. The oral comments too had opposed extension for a period of more than two to five years. Incidentally, Waste Connections, who owns the landfill, had demanded 10-year extension of the permit.

The permit renewal adds several conditions to address odor control. It calls for the implementation of a pilot off-site odor assessment program, placement of intermediate cover at lesser frequency where odor problems are not controlled and additional surface emission monitoring. It also lays new conditions on gas collection and control from the working face of the landfill. The permit renewal also places limits on the quantity and type of wastes that can be used as alternate daily cover and recirculation of leachate within the waste mass. In addition, it directs the landfill authorities to submit updated odor complaint log charts and summary reports on a monthly basis.

Meantime, Kyle Black, Landfill Manager, Seneca Meadows landfill cited the receipt of the permit renewal as a great news for the entire operation team. Black assured that the landfill will continue to work in full compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

The Seneca Falls Environmental Action Committee expressed disappointment and dismay over the DEC’s decision to extend the landfill’s operating permit by another 8 years. However, it noted that is pleased to have not granted the standard 10-year permit. The Committee alleged that DEC has put corporate interests above the health and quality of Finger Lakes Community. Further, it noted that the landfill has been continuously violating town and state codes by allowing odors to leave the property, thereby causing serious air pollution issues.