DEC Initiates New Enforcement Action Against Dunn Landfill

State Directs Landfill Operators to Take Immediate Action to Stop Spread of Dust

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that DEC is initiating new enforcement actions against SA Dunn & Company to immediately address blowing sand from this facility, including possible penalties for any violations found during the agency's ongoing investigation of facility operations in the city of Rensselaer.

"DEC will not tolerate these latest violations at the Dunn Landfill," said Commissioner Seggos. "We are committed to upholding our responsibility to ensure landfill operations like Dunn are not negatively impacting surrounding communities and DEC will continue to take rigorous enforcement against this facility or any facility that violates our stringent permit requirements."

On April 3, DEC immediately responded to reports of blowing dust around the Dunn Landfill to investigate the nature and extent of the dust. DEC will take aggressive actions to hold the facility accountable for these violations and is directing Dunn operators to immediately hydroseed the sand piles at the facility to ensure dust is contained on site.

DEC recently directed the Dunn Landfill to improve operations and reduce odors at the facility. These comprehensive actions included new gas collection and cover system requirements and enhanced odor monitoring to reduce impacts to the community. DEC is deploying four H2S monitors to strategic locations to provide enhanced monitoring of odors at the landfill site. The monitors are being placed at the perimeter of the landfill property to determine whether and when the landfill is emitting excessive levels of hydrogen sulfide. The devices will sample and record hydrogen sulfide data every 10 minutes around the clock, and DEC will regularly review the data and take any necessary actions to address any violations found.

DEC will continue to monitor landfill operations to ensure the community and the environment are protected.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/77537.html