The state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has finally recognized that Riverbend Landfill is not expanding any time soon.
Since 2009, when the dump's current operating permit expired, DEQ has held off requiring Riverbend to file a closure permit application even though state law requires such a permit when a landfill is within five years of reaching capacity. Instead, DEQ has administratively continued the existing operating permit year by year.
Without the MSE berm (still under construction), the landfill will reach capacity in fall 2014. With the additional disposal space provided by the berm, capacity will be reached in 2016 -- still well within the 5-year statute.
Bob Schwarz, DEQ's permit writer for Riverbend, announced at the Air Quality meeting held in McMinnville on April 29 that Waste Management was asked to submit an outline for a closure plan by May 2. Schwarz emphasized that filing a closure plan does not prevent the landfill from expanding. A 2012 version of the dump's closure plans is posted on DEQ's Riverbend Landfill website, http://www.deq.state.or.us/nwr/RiverbendLandfill.htm.
Watch this site for more information!
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