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"who wants to swim in Cancer Creek?" |
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Written by Greg Bird
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Friday, 12 March 2010 |
More than 50 people crowded into Oneida City Hall Monday night to voice their opposition to a proposed 24-acre landfill to be constructed near the Big South Fork River
More than 50 people crowded into Oneida City Hall Monday night to voice their opposition to a proposed 24-acre landfill to be constructed near the Big South Fork River.
The public hearing, conducted by Tennessee’s Division of Solid Waste Management, and representatives from Quantum Environmental & Engineering Services were on hand to provide a brief overview of the project.
The Roberta Phase II Project, sponsored by Oneida businessman Johnny King, would cover 24-acres of a 308 acre parcel next to an existing landfill located north of Oneida off of Bear Creek.
The landfill would accept 1,500 tons of waste daily and be filled in approximately 2.3 years. Engineers stated the site would be constructed with “state of the art design and materials,” including a 2-inch layer of compacted clay and a liner to prevent leaching from the site. Additionally, a leachate collection system would be incorporated to collect any water that may come in contact with the waste so it may be treated.
Attendees were notified that the Division of Solid Waste Management has already issued tentative approval for the project, stating that it meets all requirements at this time. Pending review of any contrary technical information submitted during the hearing or during the comment period, the department stated a full permit would be issued.
Public concern over the project has been mounting over the past few months with the realization that the landfill could accept fly ash, a waste product of coal-fired power plants, as well as other materials and concerns over the environmental impact on the water quality in the region.
The format of the meeting was designed to allow citizens to voice questions or concerns of a technical merit to the project, but most of the attendees wanted immediate answers and were visibly upset when they were told that they would receive a written response at a later date.
Most people in attendance Monday night offered up emotional appeals against the proposed landfill, but there were also technical questions regarding the testing procedures, durability of the liner and impact on the environment.
A prevailing mood throughout the entire evening that there was little the public could do to stop the landfill permit from going through.
“Our city and county officials do not care about what the people want,” one speaker stated. “They only care about the money.”
“If you are going to do this, you better do the best dang job you can,” echoed another citizen.
Kathy Obrusanszki, a schoolteacher in Scott County pointedly asked if they were able to gather a petition with 10,000 signatures, would it be enough to stop the process.
After being informed that such a move would have little impact, she followed up asking if Johnny C. King, were to withdraw the application for the permit, would that kill the project.
Obrusanski then appealed to the public gathered at the meeting to try and persuade the people in attendance to talk to the stakeholders and try and convince them to give withdraw their application.
The woman also questioned the economic impact the landfill would have on the area, most notably the Big South Fork tourism industry.
“We don’t have much left here,” she said. “Who would want to kayak in ‘Cancer Creek?’”
One of the primary concerns over the project mainly centers around the location of the landfill, which would cover an existing freshwater stream and fill in a small wetland area. King would be required to purchase a wetland area in Greene Count as mitigation for the operation.
The site in Scott County lies adjacent to Bear Creek, which empties into the Big South Fork, just upstream from the McCreary County water intake facility.
Steve Owens, Superintendent of the McCreary County Water District, who has been fighting the project since its inception, appeared to present both oral and written opposition to the landfill.
“The issuance of this permit would demonstrate poor judgment since the affected waters empty into the Big South Fork River,” he stated. “Tennessee and Kentucky have designated these portions of the National River as Outstanding National Resource Water, the highest tier of protection afforded by the Clean Water act. These designations should afford the downstream areas the greatest level of protection available.”
Owens noted the potential risk to the biological diversity of the area, pointing out there are state listed fish living in and around the affected areas in both Tennessee and Kentucky.
He also discussed the impact of any contaminants leaking out of the landfill on the water supply of McCreary County.
“Over time, whether by accident or neglect, contaminants from this landfill would be deposited into Bear Creek,” he said. “The cumulative impact of these contaminants would greatly threaten the drinking water supply for many people in Kentucky and Tennessee. It would also, unnecessarily risk their health and wellness.”
Other citizens voiced their concerns over the health risks involved with the landfill and questioned the capability of Oneida’s water treatment facility to handle the additional waste water that would be produced by the landfill.
Public comments can still be made on the matter until April 5, 2010. Written comments may be submitted to: Mr. Mike Apple, Division of Solid Waste Management, 5th Floor, L&C Tower, 401 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37243-1535. Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. to be considered.
A similar hearing was held last month with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
At that meeting it was disclosed that the landfill would, most likely, expand to cover the entire 308 acre site. |
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