Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 28, 1993 TAG: 9305280242
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They contended Thursday night that the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority is violating state regulations by grading and preparing the Smith Gap site in Roanoke County.
They said the grading is polluting underground water and small streams at the site off Bradshaw Road area near the Montgomery County line.
"Construction should be stopped and they should stop violating erosion-and-sediment control laws," said Louise Spangler. "They have been violating them for than a year as work has progressed on the project."
But several Roanoke County residents who live near the site said they see no point in halting work. Even though they opposed the project, they said they believe the Resource Authority is trying to comply with drainage regulations and other rules.
The conflicting views came at a public hearing by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality that attracted 25 people.
The state has a two-phase permit system for landfills - called Part A and Part B. Part A deals with the acceptability of a site, and Part B deals with the design and technical issues.
The Department of Environmental Quality has approved the Part A application and is reviewing the Part B application.
The Resource Authority knew it would take a risk by proceeding with the $33 million project before it had the final permit.
But it was faced with the need to open the new landfill by this fall because the current one will be full by the end of the year. The new landfill is projected to be open by October.
"If the project is stopped now, what we would have left would be no better than a landfill," said R.J. Garman, a leader in the Bradshaw Citizens Association.
"I feel Roanoke County is doing its part to see that it is done right. It would be a shame to put this project on hold," said Paul Hicks, a landowner on Bradshaw Road.
Berry Wright, environmental technical services administrator for the Department of Environmental Quality, said the state agency will review all comments at the hearing and send written responses to all questions.
State engineers will determine whether changes are needed to comply with landfill regulations, he said. A decision is expected in 30 to 45 days.
Wright said the state won't be swayed by the fact that construction has already started. The state doesn't encourage or recommend construction before the final permit is granted, he said, but it understands localities have to take risks sometimes because they are in a bind to develop a new landfill quickly.
John Hubbard, chief executive officer for the authority, said grading at the site is preliminary work to get it ready for the construction of the liner and drainage system, the main elements in a landfill. Work won't begin on them until the final permit is obtained, he said.
by CNB