It now appears the first session of the issues conference was the last, as Cattaraugus County took title to IWS's land in Farmersville on January 9, 2008. A number of the documents previously linked below have beeen removed. However, if you have an historical interest, send us a request and we'll email copies to you.
The first session of the Issues Conference was held at the Machias Fire Hall on April 27 and 28, 2004, and then adjourned. Testimony from a number of proposed intervenors (those who petitioned for party status) showed that the IWS plan for a 3,000 ton-per-day landfill in Farmersville is insufficient to ensure basic environmental protections will be achieved without further studies. IWS has the obligation to submit such studies, and give the public an opportunity to submit comments.
Particular attention was focused on the control of toxic air emissions and the discharge of massive volumes of water (some of it polluted) from proposed groundwater extraction systems and stormwater collection. Such discharges could flood the Carpenter Brook, draw down or pollute neighboring wells, and destroy a downstream trout spawning area in Carpenter Brook that provides nearly all of Ischua Creek's native brown trout population.
Since the adjournment, IWS has failed to move its application forward.
At this time the issues conference, previously scheduled to reconvene on July 20, 2004, has been canceled. When IWS submits them, new water discharge and wetlands permit applications will allow the public to file new petitions for party status and propose new issues on local water impacts. An October 25, 2005 Ruling on a Motion to Reopen the Post-Conceptual Review Decision does not change this.
Most of the IWS submissions and responses filed by CCCC and the Municipal Intervenors (a coalition of Cattaraugus County, the City of Olean, the Village of Ischua and the Village of Franklinville) are available from us on request.
DEC Staff reports on changes to IWS draft permits, May 21, 2004 (66K) -- Partly in response to criticisms of the IWS landfill application brought at the April session of the issues conference, DEC Staff have modified the draft solid waste and air permits, and are considering whether to require an individual water discharge permit, considering the combined volumes of stormwater and extracted groundwater proposed to be discharged into Carpenter Brook.
