July 19, 2005

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester and Attorney General Mike Cox announced today a settlement with Osceola Development LLC to resolve several outstanding complaints regarding the Richmond Sanitary Landfill in Osceola County.

Osceola purchased the landfill in September, 2004. Prior to the purchase, there were a number of outstanding violations at the facility. A portion of the landfill needed to be closed and capped, leachate removal was not being undertaken on a regular basis, and groundwater contamination was emanating from the landfill.

The DEQ alleged in the complaint that Osceola had failed to provide financial assurance, control leachate levels, conduct proper monitoring of the groundwater around the landfill, provide an updated monitoring plan for the landfill, maintain a remedial action to address the contamination at the landfill, and update engineering plans to address new requirements and site specific problems with previous engineering plans.

“This settlement demonstrates our continued commitment to protecting Michigan’s environment and public health,” said Director Chester. “Landfill operators must take every available step to ensure that their operation is not posing any threat to the surrounding community.”

"Due to the persistence of my office, we have reached a settlement that not only saves our environment but also saves taxpayer dollars," said Cox.

Under the settlement, Osceola has agreed to pay a civil fine of $210,000; pay the state’s enforcement costs of $39,000; and comply with specific solid waste and water quality statutory and regulatory provisions alleged in the complaint. Osceola has also undertaken a new investigation of the groundwater impacts to begin the process of remediating groundwater contamination at the landfill, addressed a number of the operating requirements neglected by the previous owner, and provided financial assurance for the facility.

Osceola has filed for a solid waste disposal area operating license from the DEQ. After entry of the Consent Judgment today, the DEQ will evaluate the license application in accordance with current solid waste requirements. Osceola hopes to be accepting waste at the landfill by mid-September 2005.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised July 19, 2005 by Alice Stimpson acting for Pat Watson