By By MaryClaire Foster
Andrews is chairman of Citizens for a Clean Southwest Alabama, a 5013c non-profit organization.
The success Andrews was speaking of is the current halting of a landfill in the southwest area of Conecuh County between Range and Repton.
The landfill, a venture proposed by the Conecuh Woods company, would cover 5,100 acres and allow for up to 25,000 tons of out-of-state solid waste to be delivered daily.
The landfill would be only five miles down the road from the Timberlands landfill in Escambia County, a venture that was also met with opposition.
Andrews said because Alabama has less stringent environmental laws than other states it has become a prime target for landfill development. According to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s Web site there are already 31 solid waste landfills in Alabama. This number does not include industrial or construction and demolition landfill sites.
Seven thousand dollars was leftover from the Timberlands opposition’s campaign and has been earmarked by the CCSA for water testing and operations in Atmore and surrounding areas.
These tributaries are the reason Andrews said the people in Atmore should be concerned.
He said his group feels compelled to assist in testing because landfills are not regulated once in operation.
Andrews also said this is why 1,400 truckloads of mercury waste were allowed to come through Escambia County.
According to Andrews, and the EPA agrees, the double liners mandatory for landfills are not sufficient and will eventually fail to prevent leaching. Leaching occurs when the chemicals from the disposed waste mix together during rain and seep out into the ground where it can then be introduced into ground water.
Andrews feels confident that through his group’s efforts and community support, the Conecuh Woods landfill will be prevented.