On August 18, 2003, residents of Morrow County attending a County Board of Health meeting were informed that two applications had been submitted for construction, demolition, and debris (CD&D) landfills in Harmony and Washington Townships. These applications were submitted by Kitt Cooper, General Manager and part owner of the applying company, CD&D Acquisitions of Columbus .
A CD&D landfill consists of construction debris created when buildings are torn down. Some examples of this debris are asphalt shingles, wood framing, cement blocks, insulation, concrete and windows. The Harmony Township landfill will consist of Central Ohio debris delivered entirely by truck. The Washington Township landfill will consist of debris from Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut delivered by train. The expected lifetime of these landfills is 15 years and when completed, these landfills will be approximately 140 feet in height with 12 inches of soil and grass covering the debris.
Cooper has stated in public meetings that it is the responsibility of the landfill operator to insure no solid waste or unapproved debris such as appliances, tire, yard waste and carpet enter the landfill. It is also the operator’s responsibility to make sure the landfill meets all environmental requirements. However, since these landfills will be located in predominantly residential areas, residents’ concerns for road safety, road repair/maintenance and property values are not addressed.
Based on information provided by Cooper during public information meetings, Morrow County is an exceptional candidate for all types of landfills. Land throughout the county has a high concentration of clay and there are nine townships (out of 16) that have no zoning in place. For the two proposed landfills in Harmony and Washington Townships, the minimum requirement of clay is 5 feet. Those sites have between 7 and 15 feet of clay. Cooper has also stated in many meetings that he focuses on finding counties (with townships) with no zoning. The company has already started making inquiries into purchasing land for a solid waste facility in another unzoned township. The Health Department and other county officials have stated that without zoning, residents can expect many more landfills.
At this time, CD&D landfill applications in Ohio fall under the review of the local Health Department. The Morrow County Health Department has limited funds and resources but is obligated to complete the review process. The primary goal of the Health Department is determine if the application meets all state guidelines for a CD&D landfill. They do not have the authority to say “No” to the applications simply because they do not want landfills in their county.
Residents of Morrow County are not giving in. During the past several months, they have organized to get a countywide zoning issue passed on the November ballot, pressured their county officials to do “something” and reached out to many organizations for help. Passing the zoning issue is not a guarantee that the two proposed landfills will be stopped. But it will give the county an opportunity to stop future landfills.
Morrow County has a serious dilemma on its hands. It is primarily an agriculture and residential county It is a poor county targeted for CD&D and solid waste landfills due to lack of zoning. Morrow County needs help to keep landfills out of the county. For additional information or to help in this effort, contact Mike Struck at 419-864-3519 <mike_struck@yahoo.com>.
Note from Jeff Cox, COG ExCom member: Morrow County Engineer Randy Bush says the $16,850 fees each landfill will generate will not make up for the cost to maintain the narrow county roads and bridges that lead to the landfill sites. OEPA Deputy policy Director, Lauren Powell, says their hands are tied, she couldn't recall any construction-debris landfill applications being denied.