SPSA secures wetlands permits for landfill Cells 8 and 9, extending disposal capacity

The Southeastern Public Service Authority on July 23 told its board it has received all state and federal regulatory permits to construct landfill Cells 8 and 9, a permitting milestone staff said will secure long-term regional disposal capacity.

The board heard from Chair Tom Leahy that the permits “give us 35 years of guaranteed disposal capacity, and if we play our cards right, 70 years of disposal capacity.” Executive Director Dennis (last name not provided) told the board the wetlands permitting process took about five years and that staff and the authority’s environmental consultant are preparing a permit matrix to track required conditions and deadlines.

Why this matters: The permits allow construction of two additional landfill cells that SPSA said are needed to maintain disposal capacity for member communities. The board and staff framed the permits as a strategic asset comparable to a guaranteed water supply and said the permits carry ongoing compliance steps rather than resolving the project.

Key details and next steps: Staff told the board it is working to close on the “Magnolia” property under a purchase agreement; an easement needed for vehicle entrance remains under attorney review but was described as unlikely to block closing. Staff also said easement documents for preservation areas are nearly complete and are under review by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, which will oversee the preservation easement. The executive director said a payment to a management entity tied to the permit must be made within 30 days of permit issuance and that staff has started that process.

Board members were advised that soil from Cell 7 will need to be placed on Cell 8 soon and that SPSA staff are coordinating with the City of Suffolk on the conditional use permit (CUP) process that may apply to that work. The executive director said staff circulated the permit and the Record of Decision (which found the project to be the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative) to board members.

Discussion and context: Board members praised staff for persistence in obtaining the permit; members asked about permit conditions and timing for construction. The executive director said the authority will maintain a checklist of permit conditions and deadlines to ensure compliance. Staff emphasized coordination with Suffolk on construction timing and with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation on conservation easements.

Ending: The board did not take formal action specific to the wetlands permit during the open session beyond the updates; staff identified administrative follow-ups, property-closing tasks and operational coordination with member localities as the next items on the timeline.