Brentwood commission backs drafting a letter asking NHDES for more information on proposed Epping transfer station

The Brentwood Conservation Commission voted to support drafting a concise letter asking the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to withhold permit approval for a proposed solid-waste transfer station in Epping until additional environmental, traffic and hydrology information is provided.

Commissioners cited letters from neighboring towns and conservation groups that raised questions about the application’s scope, public benefit and missing analyses. The commission discussed concerns about downstream water-quality risks, including PFAS and other pollutants, and potential highway degradation from increased truck traffic.

A commission member summarized materials in other towns’ submittals and read from the permit application record: the application describes a facility that “would process up to 750 tons per day of admissible solid waste delivered by truck” and is accompanied by hundreds of pages of supporting materials. Members said some nearby communities have asked for more time so planning bodies can receive and review technical analyses before NHDES acts.

After discussion a motion to support drafting a letter requesting more time and information passed by voice vote. The commission asked that the letter be concise, that it note Brentwood’s downstream stake in the watershed and that it request the factual basis that NHDES is using in its review. The chair volunteered to draft an initial text and to share it with two commission members for review before sending.

Next steps: The commission will prepare a brief letter to NHDES asking for additional facts and time and will coordinate with neighboring towns and the select board as appropriate.