After years of concerns from environmental advocates, the Casella Waste Systems\u2019 subsidiary that operates a landfill in Bethlehem has agreed to pay $1.9 million in civil penalties.<\/p>\n
North Country Environmental Services, which owns and operates the NCES Landfill in Bethlehem, entered into a consent decree this week with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). The agreement resolves several violations in how the landfill was operated.<\/p>\n
This is the largest fine ever imposed by the state for solid waste violations, state officials said in a press release on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cLandfills are highly regulated and are designed and built to ensure safety to the public and the environment,\u201d said state Attorney General John Formella. \u201cThis case demonstrates our commitment to holding accountable those that violate our statutes and rules created for the purpose of protecting the State\u2019s environment and natural resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the state, North Country Environmental Services dumped waste beyond permitted boundaries; improperly handled and stored leachate, a toxic liquid produced by landfills; exceeded allowed flow rates in collection systems, failed to report facility damage, drilled gas wells through a protective landfill liner and did not apply required daily cover over waste. The company also repeatedly failed to properly report incidents.<\/p>\n
The case never went to trial, and the settlement avoided prolonged litigation while still holding the company financially accountable.<\/p>\n
\u201cNHDES takes landfill mismanagement very seriously, as demonstrated by this significant and appropriate civil penalty,\u201d said Robert Scott, NHDES Commissioner.<\/p>\n
The state environmental agency collaborated with the Department of Justice to ensure accountability for several years to investigate these violations.<\/p>\n