A landfill and a payday for a civic association

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Good afternoon,

The plot has thickened on the issue of adding to the height of the “Mount Minquadale” construction landfill in the New Castle area.

As you might remember, the site has come under fire from an assortment of opponents that include Artesian Water and local elected officials. A bill in the General Assembly to cap the height of the landfill died in the past legislative session but could return in January.

Artesian has been dealing with contamination issues over the years in the mixed-use area that includes New Castle Airport. Traces of chemicals from foam used in firefighting training have been found. A similar situation was found at Dover Air Force Base.

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Some foes   claim the landfill is taking out of state construction waste and is yet another example of lower-income areas ending up as “dumping grounds.” After all, we don’t see landfills in high-income zip codes.

Landfill operator Waste Management  fired back against  suspicions  that the site may be linked to traces of metals in Artesian’s water supply, Delaware Public Media reported.

A demonstration of sorts was held Saturday, with Artesian urging via letter that  its customers show up near the site.

Then came another  interesting piece of news. Delaware Online (subscription only)  reported the civic association, which supports  the expansion of the landfill,  stands to gain millions of dollars in coming years  if the project is okayed. I guess there are big bucks in landfills.

That windfall comes with a host of public policy issues. Minquadale and adjacent areas are struggling with a host of issues that include the quality of housing, drugs, poverty and the loss of manufacturing jobs.

How that money would be used is a good question, given the general lack of oversight of finances and other matters related to civic associations that typically have tiny budgets and often struggle to get people to pay modest yearly dues.

The decision on raising the height of the landfill now rests with  the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Regardless of how DNREC comes down on the proposal  (remember it has to follow rules and regulations), it is clear that the county and state need to take a careful look at the situation.

Too many loose ends are in evidence.

Agree or disagree? Let me know. Simply type away and hit return.  Delaware Business Now does not offer a “dead letter mailbox” where comments go to die.

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