As printed in the May 12 Marlboro Herald Advocate FACTS CONCERNING THE PROPOSED "MEGA-DUMP" Things you should know if you care about your quality of life and that of future generations in Marlboro County Marlboro County Council Attorney, Hubbard W. McDonald, Jr., as quoted in the May 4, 2008 issue of the Richmond County Daily Journal: "The MSW landfill proposed by MRR in upper Marlboro County, is not shrouded in secrecy and should not be confusing. The appearance of secrecy and confusion is caused by those who are opposed to the landfill directing their opposition to the Marlboro County Council." Rebuttal: It is the objective of "Concerned Citizens for Marlboro County" to educate the citizens of this county with regard to the facts surrounding the entire issue of the proposed landfill. The reason that our energy has been directed to the Marlboro County Council is that the ability to STOP THE PROPOSED LANDFILL, IS IN THE HANDS OF THE Marlboro County Council AT THIS TIME. Mr. McDonald: "Local governmental bodies in SC have been removed from the decision making process relating to the location and permitting of landfills.Rebuttal: In fact, a 2004 South Carolina Supreme Court ruling* has put the power to regulate landfills within a county IN THE HANDS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES; I.E. THE COUNTY COUNCILS!! This is done through the Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) written by the county and filed with DHEC which then makes the determination of consistency based on the intent of the county as stated in the plan. *as printed in the 2007 South Carolina Solid Waste Management Annual Report Mr. McDonald: "DHEC has sole authority to make the final decisions concerning locations and permits for landfills. Those who oppose the landfill, should direct their opposition to DHEC and the SC Legislature."This is true - but DHEC’s decision is based on the Solid Waste Management Plan filed with them by the County Council.FACT: At the November 8, 2007 meeting of the Marlboro County Council, Atty. McDonald requested that the County Council REMOVE from the Solid Waste Management plan, the very language that would enable/require DHEC to DENY the landfill permit to MRR!! Why would he do this if he is "opposed" to the landfill coming to Marlboro County?
Refusing to approve and file an updated, revised Solid Waste Management Plan with DHEC Stating that the landfill was a "done deal" and therefore refusing to discuss it Failing to put the Solid Waste Management Plan on the council agenda AFTER VOTING UNANIMOUSLY at the May 1st meeting to have a reading of the plan – WHEN are they planning to discuss/read the plan and implement it so as to protect the county from getting the landfill??? Recently denying citizens the right to speak about topics not on the meeting agenda and refusing to put the Landfill topic on the agenda effectively silencing public opinion Telling citizens that the matter is "out of our hands" and "up to the state" and "a done deal" when this is plainly NOT TRUE!Some members of the County Council believe that if they stall long enough, the time required for 3 readings and a public hearing will run out. In an effort to put forth the appearance of being against the landfill, the council, at great expense to the county, has retained a lawyer to file 3 lawsuits against DHEC. If they were REALLY opposed to the landfill being permitted to locate in Marlboro County, all they had to do was vote to approve the new, revised Solid Waste Management Plan that was written and paid for ($3947.00) 3 years ago. Approving and filing this plan, as stated earlier, would enable DHEC to deny the permit. It is that simple. MORE ON THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN: In 2003, the Marlboro County Council voted to have the Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. write a revised Solid Waste Management Plan. This company did what it was contracted to do -as far as it could go. In order to complete the plan, a few final details were needed from the County Administrator and/or others in county government. Numerous attempts were made to get this information so that a completed plan could be presented to Marlboro County Council. There was a frustrating lack of response on the part of the County. Alliance was paid – nearly $4000- for it, but the plan was NEVER completed –taxpayer money wasted! That was in 2005 – plenty of time for the people who had the necessary information to supply it to Alliance Co., have the required readings by the Council and submit it to DHEC. Now, it is 2008 and still, this plan still has not been read, approved and submitted by the Marlboro County Council to DHEC. Fact: As per the 2007 South Carolina solid Waste Management Annual Report, " DHEC encourages counties and regions to review their solid waste management plans periodically and update or revise them as needed. Counties should develop their solid waste management plans with input from cities and towns within the county and offer an opportunity for public input into the plans.DHEC provides guidance for local officials and solid waste consultants to consider when submitting, writing and/or modifying local plans. Assistance is available as needed and staff will conduct workshops or make presentations upon request. Assistance also is available to the regulated community to assist them in determining how a proposed facility would impact – or be impacted by- state and local planning considerations." Has the County Council ever availed itself of this help? Has it ever sought input from the towns within the county?Fact: DHEC has been extremely cooperative in assisting members of the Concerned Citizens for Marlboro County in getting information regarding the laws pertaining to landfill permitting and language necessary in a Solid Waste Management Plan which would enable DHEC to deny the letter of compliance and thereby, the necessary permit for MRR to locate in Marlboro County. Another fact: Marlboro County only produces about 12,000 tons of solid waste per year and census figures show that the population of this county is in a downward trend. This landfill would be accepting upwards of a 1,500,000 tons of solid waste per year. Whose trash would we be burying on our land next to our groundwater??? In case you think that this facility will improve Marlboro County,
the Concerned Citizens for Marlboro County want to remind you that THE
EPA ESTIMATES THAT THE BEST CONSTRUCTED LINER CAN LEAK LEACHATE FROM
ONE TO THREE HUNDRED GALLONS /ACRE/DAY!!
|