FW: Victory! DEC MANDATES ENCLOSURE OF LI COMPOST

From: Sharon - Brookhaven Community Coalition [mailto:sharon@BrookhavenCC.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 6:16 PM
To: sharon@BrookhavenCC.org
Subject: Victory! DEC MANDATES ENCLOSURE OF LI COMPOST

PRESS STATEMENT

For immediate release:
Wednesday, October 26, 2011

For more information contact:

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, 516-390-7150 

Monumental Community Victory! DEC MANDATES ENCLOSURE OF LI COMPOST

VOICES OF BROOKHAVEN RESIDENTS HEARD ACROSS LONG ISLAND AND IN HALLS OF ALBANY

Farmingdale, NY – Today, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) and the Brookhaven Community Coalition celebrate a landmark victory after the NYSDEC announced they are have issued a modification  to Long Island Compost’s permit.   After a thorough and thoughtful permit review the DEC is revoking the variance given to Long Island Compost/Great Gardens to operate an open air facility at the Yaphank location. For too long, nearby residents have suffered from strong odors and particulate matter emanating from Long Island Compost and the nearby Brookhaven Town landfill. The enclosure of LIC  is an enormous leap forward in giving the people of Brookhaven back what they deserve; the right to breathe clean air, watch their children play outdoors, and have a quality of life comparable to other areas on Long Island.

This victory comes after a diverse group of stakeholders including CCE, Brookhaven Fire Department, Brookhaven Fire District, Yaphank Taxpayers and Civic Organization, South Yaphank Civic, Brookhaven Village Association, South Country Ambulance Company and more, joined to address the environmental, public health, and quality of life issues in southern Brookhaven. For months, the groups met with local and state elected officials and agencies to address concerns that the facility was not operating within their permit allowance and should have never been given the exemption to operate in an unenclosed facility.  On August 11, the group authored a letter and formally requested the DEC to take this action.   CCE and the BCC are delighted and heartened by the DEC decision.   

Other stipulations of the modified permit include:

-          All processing, tipping, storing, storage, and compaction areas must now be located within an enclosed building.

-          Limit the on-site storage of wood and/or mulch… which requires storage pile size restrictions, time limits, and cover requirements for processed or unprocessed materials.

-          Prohibit the on-site storage of compost products that are not completely cured or matured.

-          Mandate the facility to submit a written narrative and site plan delineating all activities conducted within the Great Gardens LLC and Long Island Compost Corporation properties, a schedule for implementation of the enclosure requirements and an updated Part 360 Operations and Maintenance Manual.