By By Kerry Whipple Bean
publisher
A grassroots environmental group is seeking U.S. attorney’s investigation into the disposal of mercury-containing waste at the Timberlands landfill on Alabama 41 north of Brewton.
David Ludder, an attorney for Citizens for a Clean Southwest Alabama and Conservation Alabama, filed the letter Friday.
Allied Waste officials could not be reached for comment Friday.
Earlier this year, Allied Waste transported about 23,000 tons of mercury cell chor-alkali waste from Olin Corp. in McIntosh to the Timberlands landfill. At the time, Alabama Department of Environmental Management officials said the material was not considered hazardous because it was created before the material was classified as hazardous — therefore grandfathering it into state regulations.
Timberlands is not permitted to dispose of hazardous waste.
Last month, Ruth Harrell, chairwoman of the Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County, presented evidence to Escambia County commissioners about mercury in the groundwater from the Timberlands landfill. Harrell said data from ADEM and the Environmental Protection Agency shows that the concentration of mercury in the groundwater test wells has been equal to or above the safe drinking water limits for years.
Andrews said CCSA would like to know whether ADEM is not monitoring the landfill — or if the regulations are not strong enough.
CCSA was formed in large part to fight the proposed Conecuh Woods landfill. A Florida development company has plans to build an 1,600-acre landfill near Repton. Conecuh County commissioners have so far voted against the plans, but no formal proposal has been made yet.
CCSA has also begun working with residents in Escambia, Monroe and Baldwin counties, including looking at the Timberlands landfill.