Delaware Waste Issues: Cherry Island Landfill and the Citizens Task Force on Solid Waste
In 2005, the Delaware Solid Waste Authority renewed its request to
increase the height of the Cherry Island landfill, on the Delaware
River in Wilmington, Delaware, this time seeking a much lower height.
The 195’ landfill height limit still will make it by far the highest
point on the River in Delaware. The Center opposed the expansion for
numerous reasons, including procedural inadequacies in the permit
application, concerns about the potential for leachate migration, and
the air quality impacts of additional landfill gas associated with
increased and prolonged dumping. The permit was ultimately issued by
DNREC with significant conditions added, including a yard waste ban and
additional recycling requirements for DSWA. The Center then
participated as a member of the Citizens Task Force on Solid Waste,
which was formed by non-governmental organizations, citizens and
legislators to carefully examine the future of solid waste in Delaware,
so that more sustainable options become available. That work continues
and may intensify to resist recent calls in the Delaware General
Assembly to repeal the Municipal Waste Incineration ban currently in
force.
|