Sunny Farms Landfill set to expand

FOSTORIA — Ohio EPA approved a renewal of the air pollution control operating permit and issued an isolated wetlands permit for Sunny Farms Landfill, 12500 W. County Road 18 in Seneca County, Wednesday. The renewed air pollution control operating permit, or the Title V Permit, outlines all applicable air pollution requirements and addresses activities and areas that could potentially generate emissions. This includes landfill operations and surrounding facilities and areas. The updated permit also requires the installation of sulfur controls, which have previously been required by Ohio EPA enforcement. The final Title V Permit states that the renewal will allow Sunny Farms Landfill to continue operating the facility in the manner indicated in the permit. The permit is valid for five years and is not related to the landfill's proposed expansion. The isolated wetland permit which was also granted to Sunny Farms Landfill will allow the company to develop 1.13 acres of surrounding forested isolated wetlands and will be valid for five years. The wetlands have no known connection to rivers and streams and are surrounded by dry land. No public comments were received during the comment period held Aug. 17-Sept. 6, 2022. The isolated wetlands permit is just one of multiple permits required for the proposed landfill expansion. Sunny Farms has also submitted a solid waste permit application, which is currently being evaluated and will include an opportunity for public comment. Issuance of final permits may be appealed to the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission. Appeals generally must be filed within 30 days of the final action. Anyone considering filing an appeal should contact ERAC at 614-466-8950 for more information. Additionally, on Feb. 15, The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation received its permit to begin shipping construction waste and demolition debris from Peconic Environmental Services Corp. in Medford, NY, to Sunny Farms Landfill and Tunnel Hill Reclamation in New Lexington, Ohio. The NYSDEC stated in a letter that both Sunny Farms Landfill and Tunnel Hill Reclamation "are authorized by appropriate government agencies to accept this material. The remaining years of air space at these facilities, including current permitted capacity and expansion potential, is in excess of 34 years for each of the facilities. "The Department has no jurisdiction or authority to regulate landfills outside of New York State." In response to a comment concerning Sunny Farms taking in more waste, the letter stated, "Sunny Farms is regulated by Ohio EPA and Seneca County Board of Health and has its license renewed yearly. According to the regulating entity, Sunny Farms has been complying within its consent order since its execution in 2019."