On September 21, 2016, the PADEP approved the MAX Environmental permit application to reclassify a disposal area as a landfill in order to accommodate up to 450,000 cubic yards of additional residual waste. The additional waste disposal will not increase the footprint of the landfill, but will rather increase the height gradually toward the center of the existing site.
Among the requirements, will be the installation of a new above ground storage tank for collecting leachate from the landfill. Project construction began in February and is expected to extend through the summer. The permit also requires that recent odor-control measures become permanent, such as eliminating solidification (mixing) of oil and gas waste on the disposal area and placing daily cover over new waste locations.
In addition to requirements for waste placement, the permit outlines a schedule for staged closure of disposal areas. The lower third of the waste fill is scheduled to be closed and capped first––as early as the fall of 2018 if full by then. The upper third of the waste will be the last to be closed and capped, which must occur within one year of final waste placement.
The permit also makes official the benefit-fee agreements made between MAX and Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling and Westmoreland Yough River Trail Chapter for several of their environmental improvement programs and educational outreach activities. Funding for these initiatives began in February.
Questions regarding the Disposal Area 6 permit may be directed to:
Carl Spadaro
(412) 445-9789
cspadaro@maxenvironmental.com.
