ILLINOIS EPA ASKS ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PURSUE ENFORCEMENT ACTION INVOLVING LANDFILLS

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. — Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano has referred six landfills, closed and operating, to the Illinois Attorney General, and in one case a local authority, for  alleged violations of provisions of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and its regulations.

 

Some of the landfills are currently operating, and are required to comply with terms of their Illinois EPA permit, as well as Illinois law and regulation.  Others are no longer accepting waste, but still must comply with requirements for post closure care of the property. 

"These enforcement referrals are part of our continuing effort to ensure that operation of active landfills and closure of inactive landfills fully comply with the laws and regulations intended to prevent long-term environmental problems for the community," said Director Cipriano.

 

"The Agency is also systematically cleaning up old sites throughout the state where the soil and groundwater have been threatened by improperly closed landfills.  Through the Abandoned Landfill program, we are using special appropriations from the Illinois Legislature to eliminate these environmental risks," Director Cipriano added.

 

Of the original 33 abandoned landfills on the list, work at 18 has been completed, three are under construction and 12 remain to be addressed, with investigation underway at seven of those.

 

The Illinois EPA refers alleged violators of environmental laws and regulations to the Attorney General, or in some cases the local State's Attorney, which acts as the Agency's legal counsel in pursuing enforcement matters.  Illinois EPA technical and legal staff continues to provide all necessary support and assistance to the legal counsel throughout the enforcement process. 

 

The landfills that were referred for enforcement are:

·                      D&L Landfill (Bond County) - currently operating.

·                      Kewanee Municipal Landfill  (Henry County) - closed, under post closure care. 

·                      Saline County Landfill - currently operating.  

·                      Spencer Brothers Landfill (Mercer County)- closed, under post closure care.

·                      Staunton Landfill South Fill Area (Macoupin County)  - closed.

·                      Wilmington Municipal Landfill (Will County) - closed. This referral is being made to the Will County State's Attorney.

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