The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has sent Seneca Meadows Inc. another round of questions about its proposed landfill expansion, requiring the company to address 66 new points in its draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Seneca Meadows Inc. has applied to the state to renew its operating permit and expand its Town of Waterloo landfill by 47 acres. The current permit expires December 31, the same day the landfill is projected to reach capacity. If approved, the new permit would extend operations through 2040.
According to a report in the Finger Lakes Times, the DEC’s latest feedback, dated September 19, spans 18 pages and includes requests for additional information, clarifications, and documentation related to the company’s “valley infill” expansion plan in Seneca Falls.
Seneca Meadows, owned by Texas-based Waste Connections, last submitted its draft Environmental Impact Statement on May 28, along with an updated climate impact analysis in June. The agency previously sought revisions in November 2023 and again in April of this year. Rochester-based Cornerstone Engineering and Geology, which represents SMI, will prepare responses to the new request.
Among the latest requirements, the DEC is asking for written proof of all contracts or agreements for handling leachate — the liquid runoff generated by the landfill — and confirmation that receiving facilities such as wastewater treatment plants can handle it. The agency also wants updates to operation and maintenance plans to reflect commitments about where mined materials will come from if the expansion is approved.
In addition, the DEC is asking SMI to correct inconsistencies in its application regarding methane flare capacity and emissions data.
The review process will continue once SMI submits its responses to the latest round of questions.
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