St. Clair County approves EGLE consent order for Smiths Creek landfill after heated debate over bioreactor

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners voted 6–1 on April 17 to approve an administrative consent order with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) addressing odor and gas-collection problems at the Smiths Creek landfill.

The order, presented to the board as the Eagle Administrative Consent Order, directs work to improve the landfill's gas-collection system, adds monitoring and compliance steps, and formalizes a negotiated enforcement outcome with the state. Corporation counsel told the board the order is a negotiated compromise intended to resolve EGLE enforcement without litigation; counsel did not quote a single settlement figure during the presentation.

Why it matters: Commissioners and residents said the odors had interfered with daily life in nearby townships and that taxpayer money already has been spent to mitigate the problem. The board's decision avoids immediate litigation and sets specific technical and reporting requirements the county must meet under the order.

What the meeting record shows - The board motioned to approve the EGLE consent order as presented; the vote was recorded as: VandenBosch — Yes; Commissioner Angie — Yes; Commissioner Beaton — Yes; Commissioner Trello —…