Hartford Landfill to Close by 2008 Year End
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the city of Hartford, and the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) have announced major steps forward on plans to close the Hartford landfill.
The agencies say the landfill, located on 100 acres north of Connecticut’s capital city, will be closed in a manner that protects natural resources and the public health, benefits city residents, and allows CRRA to meet its responsibilities for efficient processing of solid waste.
The city of Hartford and the CRRA signed an agreement that commits CRRA to retrofitting of diesel equipment to improve air quality in the city. Up to $150,000 will be spent to retrofit 17 pieces of diesel powered, off-road equipment with devices that reduce diesel emissions. This equipment includes loaders, bulldozers, and specialized trucks used at the landfill, the Mid-Connecticut Project Trash-to-Energy Facility, and recycling processing centers.
The agreement provides for CRRA funding of programs to increase recycling in Hartford, and creates a citizen’s advisory group to participate in decisions on future uses of the site. CRRA and the city will work with the committee to consider uses that could include handicapped access for hiking and biking, a skateboard park, basketball courts, a fenced dog park, a bird observation station, and a nature research center.
In a tandem agreement, CRRA and the city agreed to partner to seek state assistance for the closure and long-term maintenance and monitoring of the landfill. The state will be asked to provide $15 million toward these costs, while CRRA is committed to providing $20 million.
The Department of Environmental Protection has tentatively approved modification of CRRA’s permit for the landfill that includes ending waste disposal at the facility by December 31, 2008; installation of the latest technology synthetic cap as the final cover; and development of plans for post-closure use of the site.
The landfill was opened by the city in 1940 and CRRA leased it from the city in 1982. Since 1988 CRRA has used 80 acres of the site to dispose of materials that cannot be processed in CRRA’s Mid-Connecticut Project Trash-to-Energy Facility. CRRA also disposes of ash residue generated at that plant on the adjacent 16 acres. These facilities serve 70 cities and towns.