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DEP: Benefits Outweigh Harms From Chrin Landfill Expansion In Northampton County; Technical Review Comments Being Accepted

On March 5, the Department of Environmental Protection issued its environmental assessment review letter to Chrin Landfill regarding the facility’s permit application for expansion in Williams Township, Northampton County.

DEP has determined that Chrin has shown that the identified benefits of the project clearly outweigh the remaining known and potential harms of the project.

DEP issued the review as part of Chrin’s July 2015 application to expand its existing landfill by approximately 32 acres.

Some of the benefits to the local community recognized by DEP are in the form of host fees to the township, which could cover roadway maintenance, with additional benefits arising from local employment and free waste and recycling services.

The review also noted mitigation the landfill has proposed to limit some potential harms associated with traffic, air quality, water quality, and litter. Capping and landscaping plans will mitigate the known visual impacts of the project.

“DEP diligently reviewed the application to make sure the benefits to the community regarding this expansion are evident and carried out,” said DEP Northeast Regional Office Director Mike Bedrin. “A project of this size has to show that resident will see minimal impacts.”

The proposed expansion area would be located within the current landfill permit boundary and consists of an overlay on the existing disposal area and a new disposal area to the east of the existing landfill. The total height would increase between 30 and 40 feet.

The project does not propose to increase the daily maximum and quarterly average waste acceptance rates for the landfill. Chrin has indicated that the expanded landfill will allow the landfill to continue operating for approximately eight (8) additional years.

A public meeting was held on March 21, 2016, to discuss the project and a public hearing on the permit application was held on January 20, 2017, at the Wilson Area High School to take testimony from residents. A 30-day comment period followed where DEP accepted written comments.

The review of the permit application now moves on to the technical review phase.

Technical Review Comments

Those wishing to comment on the technical review can do so by mailing written comments to Roger Bellas, Waste Management Program Manager, DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, 18701 or by emailing him at rbellas@pa.gov. Public comments will be accepted until April 29, 2019.

A copy of the environmental assessment letter is available for review at DEP’s Northeast Regional Office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or the Bethlehem District Office at 4530 Bath Pike, 18017. Appointments for reviewing the application materials may be made by calling (570) 826-2511.

Additional copies of the letter are also available for review at the Easton Public Library, 515 Church Street and the Easton Area Neighborhood Center, 902 Philadelphia Road. The public does not need an appointment to view documents at either location.

Click Here for a copy of DEP’s review letter. Click Here to visit DEP’s Chrin Landfill webpage.

Questions should be directed to Colleen Connolly, DEP Northeast Regional Office, 570-826-2035 or send email to: coconnolly@pa.gov.

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