Illinois EPA Refers Macon County Landfill To Illinois Attorney
General For Enforcement
For Immediate Release
Monday, June 26, 2000 |
Contact: Maggie Carson
(217)-557-8138
TDD: (217)-782-9143
Internet: www.epa.state.il.us
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Springfield, Ill. -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has
formally requested that the Illinois Attorney General file a civil enforcement
action against Macon County Landfill Corporation, the permitted owner and operator
of the Macon County Landfill facility located in rural Decatur, Illinois.
The request stems from an Illinois EPA inspection of the facility, in June
1999, which revealed evidence that the facility had discharged contaminated
stormwater into a tributary leading to the Sangamon River. It is believed that
heavy rains in the days before the inspection resulted in a large accumulation
of contaminated stormwater and leachate at the facility. In an apparent violation
of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, the leachate was ultimately pumped
into a tributary located west of the facility with portable pumps and discharge
hoses. Analysis of the discharged water confirmed contamination.
Macon County Landfill Corporation has been sued twice in the past for similar
violations involving improper discharge of leachate into the waters of the State.
The first lawsuit, an action filed by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General,
resulted in a $37,500 fine against the facility. The second lawsuit, an action
filed by the Office of the Macon County States Attorney, resulted in a $30,000
fine against the facility.
"This is the third time this facility has been cited for pumping leachate
and contaminants into waters of the State," said Illinois EPA Director Tom Skinner.
"Protecting the waters of the State from contamination is of paramount importance
to the Illinois EPA," Skinner added.
In addition to a monetary penalty, the Illinois EPA has requested that the
Office of the Illinois Attorney General seek to ensure that Macon County Landfill
resolves the apparent technical violations and to require it to fully comply
with the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and associated regulations.
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