Pocono News Section

Sludge Concerns in Sullivan County

Sludge Concerns in Sullivan County - Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 6:11PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008 @06:11pm EST
MILDRED, SULLIVAN COUNTY - Concerns over New York City sludge are making waves in Sullivan County. For the last nine months, waste has been trucked into a site near Mildred. Neighbors are now saying they have health and quality of life concerns. The State Department on Environmental Protection met Tuesday morning to discuss the issue.

There wasn't an open seat inside the Sullivan County Agriculture Resource Building as homeowners sounded off about a project that is bringing 23,000 tons of waste into the community.

"I'm worried about our kids. I'm worried about our grandchildren. I would like to see the whole thing stopped until we have more knowledge," resident Virginia Miller said.

For the last nine months, waste from New York City sewage treatment plants has been brought to the Old Bernice Mining Site near Mildred. Neighbors say that site smells horrible and they're worried about the safety of their water.

Owner Greg Barchey says he's willing to work with the community.

"We work with the weather. We work with the humidity. We work with the thermal inversions and temperature changes. We try to be very versed of when we do major work," Barchey said.

Some county leaders say its too little too late.

"This meeting is probably nine months too late, that's all it is. It probably wouldn't have stopped it, but we should have been educated before they started," Sullivan County Commissioner Bob Getz said.

After all of the biosolids are processed at the site, they will be spread out, then as soon as this summer, the land will be turned into food plots for animals.

Bruno Najaka says turning this old coal mining land into a usable resource is a big deal.

"We want plants and grasses and trees to grow so that the wildlife has something to eat," Najaka said.

Right now, sludge from New York City is being brought into Sullivan County five days a week by tractor trailers.