04.23.15

Durbin Pleased That Proposed Industrial Waste facility At Clinton Landfill Won't Go Forward

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after learning that the company, Area Disposal, has dropped plans to locate an industrial waste facility at Clinton Landfill and to dispose of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) above the Mahomet Aquifer. On March 11, following Senator Durbin’s urging, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially designated the Mahomet Aquifer as a sole source aquifer entitling it to special protections.  A copy of Senator Durbin’s letter to the EPA is available here.

“I was encouraged last month when the EPA gave special protection to a portion of the Mahomet Aquifer – a primary source of drinking water for more than half the population of Central Illinois.  I am relieved today by the news that plans to locate a PCB disposal site above the Aquifer have been dropped,” said Durbin.  “Protecting this vital water source took a coordinated effort by members of the community.  I applaud them for their efforts and was happy to lend my support.” 

In 2008, Durbin and then-Senator Barack Obama wrote to the EPA to express their concerns about a proposed industrial waste facility at Clinton Landfill, and the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) above the Mahomet Aquifer.

In 2012, Durbin again raised concerns with the EPA regarding the Clinton Landfill. At the time, Durbin and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) urged the agency to consider a Soul Source Aquifer application for the Mahomet Valley Aquifer and continue to evaluate the proposed waste facility at Clinton Landfill. That letter is available here. In response to Durbin’s request, the EPA ordered a U.S. Geological Survey study of the aquifer and the possible impact of permitting an industrial waste facility at Clinton Landfill.

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