Link To General Permit WMGR097 For Hazleton Creek Properties

On March 13, 2010 Mia Light of the Standard Speaker wrote an article about the permit approval for Hazleton Creek Properties that would use processed construction and demolition debris with regulated fill to reclaim the abandoned mineland on Hazleton's south side.

Hazleton Creek Properties sought DEP approval of a research and development project that would combine construction and demolition "fines" with approved fill materials to reclaim the mine-scarred site. Construction and demolition fines, or C&D fines, are sand- like particles of asphalt, bricks, concrete, gypsum, wood and other materials generated in the construction or demolition of buildings.

These are the products that Todd Eachus and his lapdogs are barking about.

Prior to approving the permit, DEP held a 30-day public comment period on the proposal. A total of 712 comments were received and answered, according to DEP.

In opposition to the permit request last year, state Rep. Todd A. Eachus, D-116, successfully urged DEP to hold a 30-day pubic comment period and also garnered a 15-day extension. He also authored a public input survey on the proposal.

Eachus got everything he asked for but still isn't satisfied with the answer.

According to Frank Keel of Hazleton Creek Properties, the project is designed to achieve three primary goals:

-- Demonstrate the potential for statewide beneficial use of C and D fine materials as valuable for reclamation of abandoned mine lands that pose public safety and environmental risks where no funds or responsible parties exist to complete the critical job.

-- Demonstrate that C and D fine material mixed with regulated fill can produce a reclamation mixture that will produce levels of compaction that will support structures for redevelopment projects and brownfield lands.

-- Expedite the site reclamation and remediation of a critical area by providing an additional high-volume, safe material for mine reclamation purposes.


Here is a link to the General Permit WMGR097 that lists the special conditions for Hazleton Creek Properties to conduct its research and development project at the site in Hazleton. Items 5 through 10 pretty much answer the concerns of the opponents of the project including Chuck Rogers.

5. Wastes covered under this permit as part of this R and D project shall not be hazardous waste or mixed with hazardous waste.

6. Wastes covered under this permit as part of this R and D project shall be kept separate from other wastes generated, processed, stored, or beneficially used at this site.

7. Wastes covered under this permit as part of this R and D project shall not be mixed with other types of solid waste, including municipal waste, special handling waste, or residual waste, that were not specifically identified in the permittee's approved application and information supplied under Condition 2.

8. The duration of the R and D project authorized under this permit shall not exceed one year unless written authorization is received by this Department. Requests for written authorization should include justification as to the reason a longer duration is needed for the success of the R and D project.

9. The total quantity of waste on site for a R and D project at any one time shall not exceed 50 tons unless written authorization is received from the Department. Requests for written authorization should include justification as to the reason a larger quantity of waste is required for the success of the R & D project. For projects involving larger quantities, the Department may determine, on a case by case basis thay bonding is required.

10. This permit does not authorize and shall not be construed as an approval to discharge any waste, wastewater, or runoff from the site of processing to the land or waters of the Commonwealth.