June 14 Last Day to Submit Public Comment on Wasco County Landfill Permit
Wasco County Landfill (as seen from above on Google Maps).
Editors Note: CCCNews was asked to put this reminder out to the community to address misinformation that the County was handling the permitting. The County is not involved in the process. The permitting process is being undertaken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles, Ore, June 13, 2024 – Tomorrow, June 14, 2024 is the last day for the public to submit public comments on the proposed solid waste permit for Waste Connections’ Wasco County Landfill located at 2550 Steele Road in The Dalles to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The public comment period opened on May 14, 2024 and will close at 5 p.m. on June 14th.
Comments must be submittedto ERpermit.Coordin@deq.oregon.gov or to the Solid Waste Permit Coordinator, Oregon DEQ, at 400 E Scenic Drive, Suite 307 The Dalles, OR 97058.
From DEQ:
Summary
DEQ intends to issue a solid waste permit renewal for this facility. The permit would continue to authorize Waste Connections to accept and dispose of municipal solid waste at the Wasco County Landfill. All activities must be performed in conformance under the requirements, limitations and conditions in the permit. This proposed action is subject to public review and comment.
About the facility
Photo: Waste Connections
The Wasco County Landfill is a municipal solid waste landfill owned and operated by Waste Connections, Inc. The landfill serves the residents, farms and businesses in Wasco County. The landfill is located on a 332-acre site.
Google maps shows the location of the facility relative to The Dalles, OR.
All active and future landfill disposal cells are constructed with composite liners and blanket drainage layers to contain and collect any liquids within the landfill. Landfill gas from both closed and active landfill areas is collected through a network of horizontal and vertical gas collection pipes, and then combusted in a flare that is regulated by a DEQ Air Quality Permit.
Birds are managed by the landfill mainly with the use of a green laser and propane cannons. These methods are non-lethal and encourage the birds to move elsewhere. The Landfill contracts with Animal Plant Health Inspection Services for additional bird management.
Wasco County Landfill has approximately 30 years or more of useful life.
The Wasco County Planning Department signed a Land Use Compatibility Statements for Wasco County Landfill in December 2000. The document confirms the facility complies with local land use requirements and can continue operation in this area.
DEQ last issued the solid waste permit in December 2014. The facility also holds permits for air quality, a solid waste transfer station and an industrial stormwater permit.
The facility has complied with the municipal solid waste permit requirements under for the current permit term. The only issues DEQ noted were methane exceedances in the summer of 2021 at probe GP-4B and an exceedance of the leachate compliance level in Cell 1. Adjustments to the gas collection and control system eliminated the observed methane exceedance, and replacement of a failed pump brought the leachate level into compliance.
DEQ’s Air Quality Program issued a Civil Penalty Assessment and Order for violation of the Plant Site Emission Limits, Greenhouse Gases and Volatile Organic Compounds of approximately $95,000 on January 18, 2024. This penalty was related to alleged violations that occurred in 2021. This penalty has been appealed and the enforcement action is ongoing. In July 2022 Wasco County Landfill began operating the recently installed Gas Collection and Control System as required by the Air Quality Permit.
What types of waste does the permit regulate?
This permit sets conditions for how the facility manages disposal of solid wastes. The Wasco County Landfill primarily receives municipal solid waste and is authorized to accept agricultural, construction and demolition, industrial and other types of solid waste as listed under wastes authorized for receipt in the facility’s solid waste permit. The Wasco County Landfill cannot accept any hazardous waste.
Various federal and state regulations apply to a disposal facility depending on the type of facility, the kind and amount of waste disposed and the location of the facility. All applicable regulations must be contained in the solid waste permit including the appropriate recordkeeping, monitoring, and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with these rules.
How does DEQ determine permit requirements?
DEQ evaluates the potential waste accepted and the proposed management plans to determine permit requirements that meet federal and state regulations.
How does DEQ monitor compliance with the permit requirements?
DEQ ensures compliance with permit requirements through periodic report reviews and compliance inspections. The facility must follow all requirements of the solid waste permit to reduce potential risks to public health and the environment.
What happens next?
DEQ will consider and respond to all comments received and may modify the proposed permit based on comments received. DEQ can only modify the permit in accordance with rules and statues under the authority of DEQ. Participation in the rulemaking or legislative process is the only way to change the rules or statutes. Ultimately, if a facility meets all legal requirements, DEQ will issue the facility’s permit.
DEQ will hold a public hearing to accept verbal comments if DEQ receives written requests for a hearing within 14 days of issuing this notice from at least 10 people or from an organization representing at least 10 people. DEQ gives equal weight to written and verbal comments.
For more information
Find more information by reviewing draft permit documents attached to this notice or contact Sharon Stephens at 541-298-7257 or ERPermit.Coordin@deq.oregon.gov to arrange viewing documents in person at a DEQ office.
Non-discrimination statement
DEQ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in administration of its programs or activities. Visit DEQ’s Civil Rights and Environmental Justice page.
To read the full public notice and permit draft click here.
Support Local News
Available to everyone; supported by readers like you.
