MDE Landfill Public Comment Period Extended to Sept. 30

The Maryland Department of Environment has extended the public comment period for the proposed landfill by Tolson & Associates, in order to accomodate those residents recovering from Tropical Storm Irene.

MDE told area residents it will allow the public until Sept. 30 to comment on the proposal, which calls for a new rubble landfill to be constructed at the end of Capitol Raceway Road.

MDE spokesman Jay Apperson confirmed the extension to Odenton Patch.

"Because of extenuating circumstances surrounding Hurricane Irene, the written comment period regarding the proposed Tolson & Associates rubble landfill has been extended until the close of business on September 30," he said.

Previously, the public comment period closed on Sept. 9.

The decision to extend comes after residents wrote to MDE requesting more time to review the proposal. Many homeowners in the area lost power during the storm, and portions of the community are still without electricity.

"Many residents in the local area are still without power and have no way to access your website or research details about the landfill," Odenton resident Sharon Mercer wrote to MDE. "At this time their immediate focus is on recovery from this disaster for themselves, their families and others in the community. It may take several weeks or months for some of them to recover."

Representatives from Tolson & Associates and MDE presented plans to the community during a public session on Aug. 18. Residents have been largely against the plan, citing a range of concerns including depression of property values, pollution, traffic and noise.

Before the tropical storm hit, residents of Piney Orchard had planned a door-to-door campaign this past weekend to gather comments opposing the plan.