Rowan County received a progress update on a proposed expansion at its Woodleaf landfill from HDR, the county’s solid-waste consultant. The presentation described phased expansions (phases 6–9 and potential reworking of closed C&D cells) and initial community-evaluation work required by the state for large-capacity expansions.

Consultant Mike (HDR) reviewed the site’s current permitted and constructed phases and said the county’s remaining permitted capacity under existing permits provides roughly 25 years of life at current tonnage and compaction rates. The proposed expansion would develop in the valley between existing permitted units and—by permitting and developing phases 6–9 and recapturing airspace over closed cells—could add substantial additional capacity (staff estimated several million cubic yards; HDR cited a combined potential capacity on the order of multiple millions of cubic yards). The presentation emphasized the engineering preference for valley fills (easier to construct and drain) and noted that perimeter buffers and final landfill elevation would be maintained rather than raised.

Because the expansion would exceed the state’s 10% threshold for a major permit modification, state rules require an environmental-justice (EJ) screening and a community engagement plan. Consultant staff summarized their initial EJ analysis (one-mile radius comparisons for race, poverty, disability and other indicators), listed potentially affected “sensitive receptors” (neighborhoods, churches and other nearby facilities) and proposed an outreach program that could include informational open houses, virtual meetings and other accommodations for accessibility. The consultant said the next steps are finalizing the EJ/community-engagement plan, submitting the permit application and mitigation plans to the state, and holding public outreach before the state issues a draft permit and schedules its public hearing.

Commissioners asked about revenue sources and users of the landfill; staff confirmed the landfill operates as an enterprise fund (user fees, not general tax dollars) and said accumulated enterprise revenues would be applied to design and construction of future cells. Commissioners asked staff to examine the long-term revenue model and the degree to which out-of-county users rely on Rowan’s landfill capacity; staff agreed to report back with more detailed revenue and usage analysis.

Ending: County staff will finalize the environmental-justice and permit materials, conduct the outreach described in the EJ plan, and return with any community feedback and a recommendation to submit the formal permit application to the state.