Camden County Solid Waste Authority approves landfill vertical expansion amidst leachate concerns

Concerns over leachate management took center stage at the Camden County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 17, 2025, as a local resident raised alarms about ongoing issues at the landfill. The resident, who has been investigating leachate leakage for months, questioned the effectiveness of the current vertical expansion project and the consultant firm involved, expressing skepticism about whether the new plans would adequately address long-standing problems.

The resident emphasized the need for transparency, stating, "The public's in the dark on everything going on at the landfill," and called for a citizen to be included on the oversight board to ensure accountability. He demanded a meeting with the consulting firm and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to discuss the leachate issues directly, highlighting a lack of engagement from the commissioners on this critical matter.

In response, Robert from Atlantic Coast Consulting presented the task order for the design and permitting of the landfill's vertical expansion, which aims to extend the landfill's capacity until 2040. He assured the board that the existing leachate management systems are compliant and that the expansion would not exacerbate leakage issues. "We will do leachate generation calculations to prove that the current system will be able to handle the additional capacity," he stated.

Despite these reassurances, the resident's concerns reflect a growing public awareness and demand for accountability regarding landfill operations. The board ultimately approved the task order, but the discussion underscored the need for ongoing dialogue and transparency as the county moves forward with its waste management strategies.