Residents press county over Smith Creek landfill bioreactor, demand limits on septage and outside waste

Residents from townships near the Smith Creek landfill pressed the county for stronger action after years of odors and health complaints linked to the landfill’s experimental bioreactor operations and the recent EGLE enforcement process.

Several residents and named plaintiffs in ongoing litigation told the board they had suffered health effects, lost property value, and persistent nuisance impacts that began when the landfill accepted septage and other organic wastes as part of a research-and-development bioreactor program. “Not one of these green energy projects is safe for the people, environment, or community,” one commenter said during public comment, and another asked the board to “put a permanent end to the septage.”

Speakers described a pattern of repeated complaints and corrective work. County staff told residents that EGLE reviewed the enforcement matter and that EGLE staff said the agency could not definitively endorse or oppose the septage-in-bioreactor concept with the resources and information available during the enforcement review. The EGLE field supervisor told county staff that the landfill’s RDDP (research and development demonstration project) permit for the cell in question expires at year-end and will be carefully evaluated by EGLE.

Multiple residents urged the board to use outside experts to provide a peer review of landfill operations and CTI’s performance. Commissioner discussion confirmed the board has met in closed session on litigation matters; commissioners said the closed session limits what they can disclose publicly about the lawsuit and legal strategy. Several commissioners and residents proposed commissioning an independent technical review or consultant to evaluate landfill design, operations and monitoring, and to recommend changes or alternatives.

Public commenters also cited the possibility of a supplemental environmental project (SEP) if the consent order is finalized; an EGLE representative suggested a SEP could direct a portion of a penalty into local projects such as pollution prevention, restoration, monitoring or a community green space, but some monitoring tasks are considered part of regular landfill operations and may not be SEP-eligible.

Commissioners said they would coordinate with EGLE on upcoming public meetings: EGLE scheduled an in-person meeting to answer community questions about the consent order and an earlier virtual session. County administrators said they will notify townships and residents when dates, times and places are finalized.

Several residents and plaintiffs urged more immediate county action, including permanently stopping septic acceptance, expanding monitoring and considering a formal peer review of the county’s landfill contract with CTI. Commissioners discussed directing staff to develop a scope of work for an independent technical peer review and to consider rebidding or requiring competitive quotes when the current contract term is nearing its end.