A Small Victory for the Citizens of Cumberland County

The TDEC decision on Smith Mountain Solutions, LLC's request for a Permit-By-Rule for a coal ash dump:

"Smith Mountain Solutions has applied for construction of a landfill at the Cumberland coal site in Cumberland County. The permit application states the applicant plans to dispose of coal ash at this facility. The applicant’s permit application was for a Permit-by-Rule coal ash landfill as described in the Solid Waste Regulations at 1200-1-7-.02©(1.)(ii) (page 20 of the rules).

After examining the permit application and the solid waste regulations, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (the Department) determined that the applicant should modify the permit application and resubmit the request as a Class II landfill application. The reason for this decision is that the Department does not believe that the landfill permit application for this site meets the criteria as specified in Rule 1200-1-7-.02©(1)(ii) for a coal ash landfill for structural fill or other such similar uses as the commissioner may approve.

The Department has returned the original permit application to be revised as a Class II land fill permit application. The Department will follow the public notice and public comment requirements as set in the regulations insuring opportunities for public review. The Department will require the landfill proposal to be designed to meet the Department’s Class I landfill design criteria for geologic buffer, synthetic liner, leachate collection, etc."

The Natural Jewel of Tennessee

"In recent years, there has been much written about the Cumberland Plateau and the dangers threatening

it. The vast woods covering this region of Tennessee is quickly diminishing due to building, logging practices and other disturbances such as the introduction of non-native species. However, the plateau is

extremely biodiverse and with large tracts of wild land remaining, it is well worth the fight to conserve the forests and features so unique to it."  - From the Tennessee Conservationist Magazine

It's beyond belief that Cumberland County has eleven elected officials that apparently "don't get it" since they supported virtually unchanged, the request of the applicant to construct a coal ash landfill in the heart of the Cumberland Plateau.

These officials apparently ignored the beauty of the place where they live, ignored the lives of the people directly effected by this project, and failed to recognize the long-term negative publicity this onerous project will have on Cumberland County.

Commissioners . . . the citizens will not forget your decision when you run for re-election in 2010.  We are not going away.  You can count on that!

"THE ELEVEN"

Commissioner Tollett; David Gibson, 4th District; Jack Davisand Trey Kerley, 5th District; Wendell Wilson and Terry Carter, 6th District; Harvel and Kenneth Carey, 7th District; Jeff Brown and Greg Maxwell, 8th District; and Cramer.