Just wanted to get one request out and share the exciting news of our major victory on the incinerator ash!

The quick request is that we are seeking new Board Members who have a passion for the Susquehanna Watershed, have some time to contribute to helping build the membership and plan events, and who believe in our work so much that they can share their passion and belief with others in an effort to raise funds for our work.  Our next BOD meeting is Thursday October 18th at 6:30 pm at our office, 324 W Market St in York.  If you have any interest, please come out and see what it’s about.  Attendance at the meeting does not automatically put you on the Board, so don’t be afraid that you will get roped in by attending. 

Now to the VICTORY!  After 5 years of voicing concerns, filing a lawsuit blocked by PA DEP in 2003, and bringing in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to investigate DEP's permitting of incinerator ash as construction fill, PA DEP announces the 10-year permit for American Ash Recycling will not be renewed!!!

Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper®, Michael Helfrich, filed over 600 pages of comments and supporting documents, including recent responses from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry that echoed his concerns regarding unknown levels of dioxins, high levels of heavy metals, and improper application of this material that was being buried without any safety precautions or notices to future landowners.  We also mobilized citizens and state and local government officials who likewise voiced their concerns.

Over 200,000 tons of incinerator ash has already been buried under playgrounds, homes, parking lots, and businesses.  In some cases, this material has washed into exceptional value wetlands and tributaries of the Susquehanna.  The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper will continue to work with ATSDR to investigate these other sites to determine what further measures must be taken to secure the safety of Pennsylvania's citizens, communities and waterways.

Congratulations to everyone that submitted comments and helped do the research to put our case together.  This is a tremendous victory!!! Thanks for your support, Stewards!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   10/10/2007
PA DEP CONTACT: Neil Weaver

 

DEP DENIES YORK COUNTY ASH RECYCLING PERMIT
American Ash Recycling Product Failed to Meet Beneficial Use Standards; Faced Numerous Compliance Issues Under General Permit

HARRISBURG -- The Department of Environmental Protection today denied an application by American Ash Recycling of Pa. Inc. to renew its general permit, which had allowed the company to process and apply its AggRite product for beneficial use.
 
The department cited problems with the product’s performance and application, along with a failure to meet the beneficial use standards outlined in DEP’s regulations.
 
“American Ash Recycling has failed to demonstrate that AggRite is suitable for use as a structural or construction material, and has failed to comply with the terms if its existing permit,” said Thomas Fidler, deputy secretary for waste, air and radiation management.
 
American Ash Recycling produces AggRite by treating incinerator ash from the York County Resource Recovery Facility. American Ash Recycling’s process reduces the leachability of heavy metals in the ash.
 
When DEP issued the original permit in December 1997, AggRite was approved for beneficial uses as a construction aggregate material and as asphalt and concrete aggregate provided it met the state Department of Transportation’s respective specifications.
 
At American Ash Recycling’s request, DEP modified the general permit in August 2002 to allow AggRite be used as a bulking agent for sludge or liquid waste, a construction aggregate material under sidewalks and parking lots, base material for roadway embankments, and in the production of manufactured brick and blocks.
 
Fidler noted that American Ash Recycling could not demonstrate AggRite’s effectiveness for these additional uses.
 
A number of past and outstanding compliance issues involving the use of AggRite also exist under the current general permit, which expires Dec. 23, 2007.
 
The American Ash Recycling processing facility has generated more than 500,000 tons of AggRite, most of which had been stockpiled at a quarry in York. The stockpile was removed under the terms of a January 2004 consent decree and most of the material has been removed and taken to Modern Landfill.

From the Mighty Susquehanna, Michael R Helfrich
Lower Susquehanna RIVERKEEPER®