Friday, June 04, 1999
Neighbors win long fight over landfill
ELDA owners agree to pay for studies
BY PERRY BROTHERS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Neighbors of the defunct ELDA landfill have won a 10-year battle with a multibillion-dollar waste company over health hazards caused by the dump.
In a settlement released Thursday, Waste Management Inc., the Houston-based owner of ELDA, agreed to pay for environmental and health studies of the land and people surrounding the Winton Hills landfill and then fix the problems it caused.
“We were David, and they were Goliath; it seemed impossible,” said Marilyn Evans, executive director of Citizens United for Community Action (CUFA). “It has been ... a very long time, and it's good to have the first chapter of this book over with.”
10-year dispute
ELDA's neighbors began complaining of rashes and respiratory problems in 1989, about the same time they started smelling gas emanating from the landfill.
Initially, Waste Management will pay CUFA $2 million for the environmental studies and health exams. Remediation costs will be determined by the studies. Waste Management — a global company that reported $12.7 billion in 1998 sales — also will pay CUFA's attorneys' fees in addition to the $2 million.
CUFA, with the city of Cincinnati's help, will organize the studies and health exams. The city had related litigation pending with Waste Management but agreed to hold off if the company complies with CUFA's settlement terms.
“We had a number of goals that we set when we started the negotiations (with Waste Management) a year and a half ago,” said Dennis Murphey, the city's director of environmental management. “We hope the settlement agreement will give us the means to answer a number of unanswered questions related to the health impact (of the landfill).”
Bob Leininger, a Columbus attorney for Waste Management, said the company wanted to resolve the ELDA situation in an “amicable and collaborative way.”
Action on gas soon
Within the next 30 days, the company will meet with CUFA and the city to create an immediate fix for landfill gas that is leaking from the dump's western side.
“This thing obviously will take some time to be completed, but the parties intend to move forward promptly,” Mr. Leininger said.
In February 1998, the 27-year-old landfill closed after the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) and Cincinnati Board of Health criticized its operation and refused to approve an expansion.
The OEPA said ELDA was irreparably outdated because it is too close to a residential area and sits over an important water supply.
Hamilton County garbage once trucked to ELDA is hauled to Rumpke Sanitary Landfill at Struble Road and Colerain Avenue in Colerain Township.
They're not just guards - they're guardian angels
'Patient Protection' bill loses liability provision
Lawmaker says she got mixed signal
Worst-case toxic disaster risks revealed
Advice for judges: Curb your tongues
Country Day checked after threats
New area code may be necessary
Slain man's family awaits answers
Races disagree on police
Results no surprise locally
Stomping injured bird: Murder or mercy killing?
Art to cover base of fountain
Killing puzzles Clermont officials
Neighbors win long fight over landfill
A doctor who babies her patients
Law limits hours, places teens can work
School's out: Hurry up and rest
WVXU returns to its old format
GET TO IT
Bowling teaches kids discipline
Butler Co. in final running for plant
Chief sues city over 2nd dismissal
Confusion envelops beautification
Council awaits report on expanding Sabin center
Couple sentenced for tax evasion
Democrats hope picnic brings spark
Drug ring supplier receives 30 years
Family among 16 in drug indictments
Group still opposing light rail
Harrison hopes to lure business, shoppers
Methadone pits county, city
Middletown board seat to open up
Residents unsatisfied with mining company's reassurances
Residents protest early tax deadline
Signs of sin abound, Graham says
Skaters can't wait for park
Treatment plant site a surprise
Trio invade Middletown home
TRISTATE DIGEST
