Gulf oil spill waste heads to landfills, some with problems
By GARANCE BURKE and JASON DEAREN, Associated Press Writers
Wed, Aug. 25, 2010 02:06 AM The cleanup of history’s worst peacetime oil spill is generating thousands of tons of oil-soaked debris that is ending up in local landfills, some of which were already dealing with environmental concerns. The soft, absorbent boom that has played the biggest role in containing the spill alone would measure more than twice the length of California’s coastline, or about 2,000 miles. More than 50,000 tons of boom and oily debris have made their way to landfills or incinerators, federal officials told The Associated Press, representing about 7 percent of the daily volume going to nine area landfills. A month after the oil stopped flowing into the Gulf, the emphasis has shifted toward cleanup and disposal of oily trash at government-approved landfills in coastal states. Environmental Protection Agency officials say the sites meet federal regulations, are equipped to handle the influx of waste and are being monitored closely, although three sites have state environmental issues. State records show two are under investigation and one was cited in May for polluting nearby waters. Some residents and experts question the wisdom of adding crude-covered refuse to dumps, since it could take years for potential problems to surface. They worry about the impact on groundwater if contaminants leach past liners enclosing the decaying garbage. “Common sense would tell you you probably shouldn’t keep dumping there if there are already problems,” said Eric Schaeffer, a former head of the EPA’s enforcement office who now heads a Washington-based legal advocacy group. “EPA needs to be able to say why despite the violations and discharges these are safe.” … Nearby residents said they were worried that more chemicals were coming to the facility. “We already got enough problems here, and now they’re going to bring us the oil and everything that comes out of those Gulf beaches?” said Lawrence Andry, 70. …
