Seneca Meadows, Inc.

Press Release: February 9, 2010

Their Neighbors Spoke. They Listened.

The Seneca Meadows Landfill is preparing to submit a modified soil mine application and Environmental Impact Statement that addresses many of the concerns of residents living near the mine site on North Road in Waterloo. Landfill representatives have been meeting with various neighbors of the proposed mine over the past few months to hear their specific concerns. The result of those meetings, as well as the comments that were submitted to the New York State Department of Conservation are: a smaller proposed acreage, a greater setback distance to neighboring homes, and a property value protection plan.

“The proposed revisions to our soil mine application were completely voluntary, and the revisions were actually made back in the fall of 2009.” said Don Gentilcore, District Manager of the Seneca Meadows Landfill, “I had personally met with a number of neighbors to discuss their concerns, and worked with our engineers and scientists to amend the application to address those concerns. In November 2009, we hosted a private viewing of the new application at our Environmental Education Center for neighbors of the proposed site. It was a great opportunity for myself and our project managers to speak one-on-one with our neighbors about the revisions, and the feedback was largely positive.”

“We have always been a company committed to working with our neighbors to bring the least possible impact to their homes and lives,” continued Gentilcore. “Our staff has done a fantastic job operating the soil mines in neighboring communities, such as Junius and Phelps, and operated a 90 acre mine in the Town of Waterloo for over nine years that was closer to residents than the proposed Meadow View Mine. I am confident that the high standards we set for our company will once again result in a professional operation.”

The revised Meadow View Mine application reduces the actual mining area from 81 acres to 69 acres, which shortens the life of the mine by over one year. The reduced mining area will also increase the setback distance from the greatest population of residents living across North Road to 1,000 feet or more. This new setback distance will improve conditions for neighbors in relation to dust, noise and visual impact, and help maintain the neighborhood character.

Another element of the revised mining application is the inclusion of a Property Value Protection Plan, which will provide a financial mechanism to ensure that property values are not affected by the mine operation. “One of the major concerns that we heard from our neighbors,” expressed Mr. Gentilcore, “was the protection of their property values, and while during our history of operating similar mines, we have not seen a decline in surrounding property values, it was important to them that we provide this assurance.”

The revised mining plan drawings and details will be on display at the Seneca Meadows Environmental Education Center, located north of the facility on NYS Route 414. The facility is open to the public on Tuesdays, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Appointments can be made by calling the office at 315-539-5624.

Landfill representatives maintain that the soil mine site on North Road offers a better solution for Waterloo residents with regard to traffic and environmental issues involved with hauling soil. Current conditions require soil trucks to haul the clayey liner material several miles past hundreds of residents to the Landfill. The proposed mine would reduce travel distance and emissions, and eliminate travel through the Village and adjacent neighborhoods, providing a safer, more environmentally sound resolution.

Clay soil is an essential material for landfills in New York State for the protection of both groundwater and air. Two clay liners are combined with two high density polyethylene liners underneath the landfill to form a five foot thick liner system which acts as a barrier between the waste and the underlying groundwater table.

The clay is also used to cap landfills. Landfill caps are designed to achieve two goals: They trap landfill gas for its removal and conversion to energy, and they help prevent the formation of leachate by blocking rainwater from contacting the waste.

The Seneca Meadows Landfill is permitted to operate through the year 2023. The site is also home to the largest gas-to-energy plant in the State, providing enough electricity to power over 18,000 homes; as well as a tire recycling facility which provides for the beneficial reuse of tires as an aggregate replacement while allowing the conservation of natural stone. The company is the fourth largest private industrial employer in Seneca County.

Representatives of the Seneca Meadows Landfill report that they have conserved 175,000 tons of soil within the last ten years, and will conserve another estimated 490,000 tons by incorporating soil alternatives (like waste tire chips) in their construction projects and daily maintenance routines.