Public Comment Period on Landfill Extended to Nov. 9

The Maryland Department of the Environment has extended to Nov. 9 the public comment period relating the application for a rubble landfill at the end of Capitol Raceway Road in Crofton.

The comment period for the proposed Tolson & Associates landfill was set to end on Sept. 30, but MDE extended it, citing requests by residents and time lost dealing with the effects of Tropical Storm Irene.

MDE spokesman Jay Apperson said Nov. 9 is the latest that the public comment period can be extended by law.

The extenstion comes after a community meeting Wednesday organized by the Greater Odenton Improvement Association (GOIA), featuring Tolson representatives and residents opposed to the plan.

According to those in attendance, residents reiterated concerns about potential for pollution and noises, as well as the fact that Tolson's application for the landfill failed to recognize the existence of many homes located in the south section of Piney Orchard.

Landfill opponents also challenged Tolson officials on the structure of its ownership, pointing out that company's board of directors includes members of the Cunningham family. Cunningham Excavating, which owns the land and a mining operation on the site, had previously applied to build a rubble landfill there but were rejected by MDE due to concerns over environmental violations at an adjacent landfill that is now closed.

MDE has already granted preliminary approval for the rubble landfill. Residents are now in the process of writing letters to MDE formally expressing their concerns and asking the agency to reject the application. 

"We're collecting as much information as we can and, and including as much in the record as possible," said GOIA vice president David Tibbetts.