Environmental group: Mud among many landfill issues

By Christine Haines

chaines@yourmvi.com

Protect PT, a nonprofit environmental group from the Penn Trafford area of Westmoreland County, claims problems at the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill go beyond mud on the road and fears about pollution.

“This problem is not a one landfill problem,” Protect PT executive director Gillian Garber said during a news conference Thursday. 

Protect PT conducted a community survey of the area around the Rostraver Township landfill in October, with more than 110 residents responding. Residents reported odors, sludge on their cars and on roadways, health concerns and loss of confidence in local government to address these problems. 

Rostraver Township Commissioner John Lorenzo said local officials are just as frustrated as the residents, but are trying to address the problem at the landfill, which is owned by Noble Environmental, even though much of its regulation is outside of local jurisdiction.

“I have sent numerous letters to Mr. (Richard) Walton, CEO of Noble Environmental,” Lorenzo said. “I can’t even get a response back, a simple yes or no to meet with the commissioners to address basic questions.”

Lorenzo said the township has filed complaints with the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the permit process for the landfill.

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