New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, DEC issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Waste Management of New York, LLC, operator of the High Acres Western Expansion Landfill located in the towns of Perinton in Monroe County and Macedon in Wayne County, for ongoing violations of the state’s solid waste management regulations, as well as the state’s air pollution control requirements related to ongoing odor issues.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “The odor condition at High Acres Landfill is unacceptable. New York’s stringent rules and regulations governing waste exist to ensure facilities in our state are adhering to the safest practices and highest standards possible to protect public health and the environment. DEC takes any violation of these policies seriously and is taking necessary action to hold these violators accountable. The communities next door to the High Acres Landfill deserve no less.”

DEC has received numerous complaints from the neighboring community of persistent unpleasant odors emanating from the landfill that are adversely impacting properties and quality of life. In response to these concerns, DEC immediately bolstered its monitoring of the landfill to determine the nature and extent of the odors, including increased on-site inspections. In addition, DEC has been working in cooperation with the town of Perinton and its Conservation Board to resolve the issue. 

Under the terms of the NOV, Waste Management, LLC, must implement operational modifications to ensure best management practices are being applied at High Acres Landfill and undertake several structural improvements to strengthen the integrity of the facility’s gas collection and odor mitigation systems to achieve significant odor reductions as expeditiously as possible.

DEC will continue to closely monitor operations and air quality conditions at the landfill and in surrounding communities and will provide strict oversight as the required corrective actions and modifications are implemented by March 16, 2018. Some of the corrective actions are already underway. In addition, DEC is continuing its increased presence at the site to ensure implementation of these measures until the odor issue is resolved.

Waste Management, LLC, may be liable for penalties for past or future violations.

The complete NOV is attached.