Environment DEC
From the November 2008 issue
DEC Meets with Quebec Environmental Officials on Franklin County Landfill
Representatives of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) met with Quebec environmental officials of Région of Montérégie from the Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs (Ministère) at their request to discuss the Franklin County Landfill, given the public interest in the project on the Canadian side of the border. Located about 1.5 miles from the border, the Franklin County Landfill is owned and operated by the Franklin County Solid Waste Management Authority (Authority).
DEC provided the Ministère with an overview of the regulatory process for the Authority's proposal to expand the landfill. The project, which is still in the early stages of review, falls under the jurisdiction of the state's Solid Waste Facility Permit Regulations (6NYCRR Part 360), the state's Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and the Uniform Procedures Act (UPA).
Existing Landfill and Proposed Expansion
This topographic map shows the limit of the landfill expansion (red line). County Rte 20 in Westville runs just north (double black line).
The existing Franklin County Landfill, located in the Towns of Westville and Constable, operates under a Solid Waste Management Facility permit issued by DEC. The current permit is for a 20-acre landfill consisting of four cells for disposal of municipal solid waste. The landfill began accepting solid waste in August 1994, and the fourth cell is currently under construction.
The Authority is proposing to expand the landfill to a potential maximum footprint of 325 acres to the west of the existing landfill. The project is in the early stages of SEQR review, and applications have not been submitted yet for the required DEC permits.
SEQR and Public Comment
Currently, the proposal is undergoing environmental review pursuant to SEQR. The Authority determined that the project may have a significant environmental effect and, therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. The EIS process provides a means for agencies, project sponsors and the public to consider effects, alternatives and mitigation.
The final scoping document was released in June 2008. The Authority is now preparing a draft EIS based on the content of this document. After it is complete, the Authority will make the document accessible and available for public review. A public comment period must be provided, and the Authority will determine whether or not to hold a public hearing prior to preparing the final EIS.
Information regarding the current status of the SEQR review may be obtained from: Mr. George Eades, Executive Director, County of Franklin Solid Waste Management Authority, 828 County Route 20, Constable, NY 12926.
