Landfills

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it has approved the permits required for a proposed expansion of Colerain Township, Ohio-based Rumpke Waste and Recycling’s Hughes Road Landfill in its home city. The approval includes a permit to expand the landfill plus two air pollution permits and a modified wastewater discharge permit.

The expansion permit allows the company to add approximately 240 acres to the east of the existing landfill, giving the facility about 30 years’ capacity. The wastewater discharge permit allows the company to replace an existing stormwater outfall with a sedimentation pond to collect, treat and discharge stormwater.

Additionally, two air pollution permits have been issued. One permit issued to Rumpke covers emissions from the landfill and facility roadways. The other permit issued to Houston-based GSF Energy Inc. addresses emissions from the landfill gas recovery plants and flares.

Before issuing the permits, Ohio EPA and the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency reviewed the company’s applications to ensure they complied with federal and state standards, laws and regulations. The agency also held a public meeting about the project on April 2 at the Colerain Township Community Center.

The agencies considered public comments received at the meeting and during the public comment period. The response to the public comments document is available online.

Decisions regarding final permits can be appealed to the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC). Appeals generally must be filed within 30 days of issuing a final action; therefore, anyone considering filing an appeal should contact ERAC at 614-466-8950 for more information.