I am a contractor who builds in Hamilton County who knows the value of a nearby C&D landfill. I am having to pay extra to transport construction waste to Bradley County. In the past I have been associated with a company that involved in construction various parts of landfills in and around Hamilton County. I know that regulations continually change to provide more protection for groundwater, surface water and our air.
I understand that the company proposing the C&D landfill has told the Hamilton County Commission that they will install a leachate collection system even though it is not a requirement for a C&D landfill. Given that, ground water will have extra protection.
I have read a lot of incorrect information being distributed by opponents of the landfill, really too much to address.
For example,
1st The county will have to clean up the landfill should the Birchwood II company bankrupt. Wrong! The company has to post a bond to cover closure and cleanup before TDEC will issue the permit.
2nd Runoff from the landfill will contaminate the river. Wrong! Runoff from the landfill has to be captured and treated by an engineered designed system before it is released.
3rd Birchwood II owners have no landfill experience. Birchwood II owners will have to have trained and certified operators operate the landfill.
4th Any type of wasted can go into a C&D landfill with a special permit. Wrong! Class III C&D landfills are to not designed to accept garbage or any toxic waste.
We need this C&D landfill and the County Commission needs to base their decision on the real facts not made up facts.
Bill Clegg