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Board approves landfill permit modification after EPD‑reviewed redesign; staff says footprint shrinks, protections increase
Summary
Newton County approved a major permit modification for the Lower River Road landfill after consultant presentations and public questions. Staff said the permit under Georgia EPD review since 07/24/2023 reduces the disposal footprint from ~101 to 95.3 acres, raises the capped elevation to 821 ft, moves older unlined wastes into lined units, expands stormwater controls and allows certain composting; staff estimated roughly $3 million savings over the landfill life.
Newton County staff and consultants presented a proposed major modification to the Lower River Road landfill permit during a public hearing June 16, and the Board voted to approve the resolution authorizing submission of the modification to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).
Consultant Chad Hall (Atlantic Coast Consulting) described the long EPD review process (the application has been with EPD since 07/24/2023) and said the proposed design reduces the new disposal footprint from about 101 acres to 95.3 acres while maintaining operational life through a more efficient layout. Hall said the modification also raises the landfill top elevation from 775 feet to 821 feet and includes plans to excavate older unlined household and construction/demolition waste and relocate it into lined portions of the facility. The design includes expanded stormwater/detention facilities and allows for composting of certain biodegradable wastes to reduce landfill volume.
Hall told the board the more efficient design could save the county on the order of "probably at least $3,000,000 over the life of the landfill." He also emphasized monitoring and regulatory oversight: the county maintains groundwater monitoring wells and EPD requires periodic plan updates; the current package is a required five‑year update tied to FEMA floodplain map changes near the Yellow River.
Residents asked about proximity to the Yellow River, floodplain changes and monitoring for leachate and odors. Hall and county staff said FEMA revised floodplain lines, which required adjusting the footprint, and that monitoring wells and EPD‑required sampling are in place. Commissioner Edwards and others noted that the county holds the permit and the Solid Waste Authority provides monthly reports; the board then approved the modification resolution by voice vote.
What happens next: the approved resolution sends the modification package and public hearing record to EPD for its final administrative review. The county will continue monitoring and provide updates at public Solid Waste Authority meetings.
Votes and procedural note: board approved resolution R061626E (permit modification) by unanimous voice vote.
