COLERAIN TWP. — Several neighbors of the Rumpke landfill voiced concerns about the company's application to expand the site at a public information session Tuesday.

        Rumpke has applied to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for permission to develop 95 additional acres on the south slope of its current 234-acre mound. Company officials explained that the landfill, as it exists, has just over two years of disposal space remaining. Developing the additional acreage would extend the site's life 13 to 15 years.

        The Tuesday evening session was hosted by the Ohio EPA to obtain public comments that it will use in reviewing and evaluating Rumpke's application.

        Ohio EPA spokeswoman Cathryn Grote outlined several environmental issues Rumpke must address before its application goes forward. Approval of any permit to expand would depend on Rumpke obtaining an air quality permit and an indirect discharge permit, she said.

        Until recently, Rumpke was prevented from expanding because it was serving a three-year probation following a landslide at the landfill. The company was also fined $1 million.

        Some residents at the session questioned the landfill's impact on the surroundings.

        “Streams that used to have fish in them no longer have any live fish. There's a gray sludge,” said Jeffery Lierer. “They've got problems; why would you even think about letting them expand?”

        Mr. Lierer said he plans to take legal action against the landfill.

        Area resident Caren Whitcomb criticized the Ohio EPA and the Hamilton County Combined General Health District for allowing Rumpke to do much of the site's environmental monitoring itself.

        Residents complained about several potential health issues connected with current landfill operations. Their concerns ranged from the potential dangers from airborne particulate matter to the chemicals sprayed in the air to combat landfill odors.

        “It is an environmentally friendly location to site a landfill, which is getting harder and harder to find,” said landfill manager Larry Riddle.

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