RECEIVED

CLERK’S O~1C~

DEC 1 52003

STATE OF IWNOIS

pollution Control

Board

OGLE COUNTY FARM BUREAU~CJ

421 W PINES ROAD

OREGON, ILLINOIS 61061

PHONE (815) 732-2231

FAX (815) 732-3412

IPCB Reference PCB 03-218

In the words ofNew York Yankee great and Baseball Hall ofFamer Yogi Berra, “This is

déjà vu all over again.”

It was just two years ago this approaching Spring that we discussed, debated, analyzed

and reviewed the proposed expansion ofthe Rochelle landfill. While some things have

changed in this time period, many other things have remained the same. The one constant

that has yet to change concerning this issue is still the most important

—

The Need.

A fact oflife is that no one wants garbage; that’s why we dispose ofit. Until the day

arrives when we live in a totally recyclable society we will always have frash, and the

problems that accompany its disposal. In arriving at that goal we must fmd solutions to

the problems and learn to live compatibly with the consequences. However, in a society

where we place a high value on developing compatible land uses one can only ask how

compatible can this landfill expansion be?

Ifthe expansion were to take place the size ofthis landfill would rocket from being the

43rd largest landfill in illinois into the top ten. I am confident that Rochelle, and Ogle

County, would ratherbe known for other things than “Illinois’ Dumping Grounds!” This

project would expandthe current landfill in height to over 960 feet and would increase

it’s land size over 400 percent to 320 acres, or one-half of a section. What is compatible

about that?

---

Ten years ago Ogle County enacted its Solid Waste Management Plan. By statute the

plan had to contain a provision for a guaranteed twenty years oflandfill space to

accommodate Ogle County’s waste disposal needs. Not only did the plan meet the

required guarantee, it exceeded it, and still does today. The plan also called for

identification on need in any consideration to site a new landfill or expand an existing

facility.

Available waste disposal space in ourregion has actually expanded in the last year, which

leads us to wonder if the proposed expansion is to service our needs or those ofothers?

Who really benefits from this expansion

—

the landfill owners, the facility operators,

citizens ofOgle County or residents living in areas outside ofthe county? My bet is that

most folks can identify three beneficiaries in the group I just mentioned, and the one

group who will be most negatively impacted.

In Ogle County we have proactively addressed ourwaste disposal problem. We have

achieved over a 25 percent reduction in ourwaste stream through recycling efforts like

drop-offcenters, curbside recycling programs and yard waste composting efforts. Have

surrounding areas that proposeto bring their trash into Rochelle landfill done the same?

Have suburban residents who rally against siting landfills in their neighborhoods enacted

aggressive recycling programs to reduce their waste stream, or do they just continue to

use up our resources and send them on their way eliminating their problem and causing

problems for us?

One can only wonder, what happens twenty years from now when this expanded landfill

is full? Whose problemis it then, and what solution will be proposed; another expansion?

Don’t think these questions carry no validity. The current landfill takes in 250 tons of

trash per day. The proposal for expansion calls for 2500 tons per day to enter the facility.

This trash isn’t coming from Ogle County! Twenty years from now when the city of

Rochelle begins to expand eastward it’s going to be very difficultto move a nine hundred

foot mountain oftrash; and who would want to live or work next to it?

It’s time that we stop burying our problem and begin addressing it. Before wejump on

the bandwagon to promote another landfill expansion in the county webest examine how

we can deal with the problem now before it becomes a problem four times bigger later.

As citizens we should be extending our energies not towards siting new landfills or

expanding new dumps but rathertowards reducing waste volumeatihe source, both

residential and commercial. We should be aggressively working to promote recycling

programs and encouraging government officials and private interests to develop more

uses for recycled products. We should encourage and support the development of

biodegradable products and use them.

Landfills are the easy answerto our waste problem today, but they will be ourproblem

tomorrow.

---

Believing that the need for this landfill expansion in Rochelle has not been proven, and

the future costs to be incurred by citizens do not equal the benefit they will receive, the

Ogle County Farm Bureau opposes this expansion.

We encourage Ogle County citizens to get involved in this issue. As Yogi also pointed

out; “It ain’tover, til it’s over.”

Sincerely,

Chuck Cawley, Preshf~Tit

Ogle County Farm Bureau

815/761-8808 Home

815/732-2231 Office