The EPA issued Apex Environmental LLC a final solid waste permit-to-install and final air permit-to-install for the company's proposed landfill expansion.

Apex Sanitary Landfill is located in Jefferson and Harrison counties on County Road 78 near Amsterdam.

The final solid waste permit authorizes an increase in the daily waste receipt limit from 5,250 tons per day to 7,500 tons per day. The permit also authorizes a vertical expansion of the landfill.

However, Apex Environmental LLC will retain the existing 4-to-1 grade on the northern slope of the landfill. This means that the buried waste under 12 acres of the northern slope will not receive any new waste and will not need to be uncovered, preventing some potential odors.

An odor management plan is included in the permit to require the landfill to control odors associated with active waste handling and disposal operations.

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According to a news release from the EPA, Ohio EPA staff reviewed the technical aspects of both the solid waste and air permit applications and then issued draft permits after determining that each application met the requirements of Ohio's environmental laws and rules.

The EPA held a public hearing about the company's draft solid waste permit on July 9 and a public hearing about the company's draft air permit on Dec. 7.

The purpose of the hearings was to obtain additional information that would be considered before Ohio EPA issued or denied any final permits. After all public comments on the draft permits were received and reviewed, the Ohio EPA director issued both permits as final actions.

The final air permit establishes emission limits at the landfill to ensure compliance with federal and state clean air standards and protect public health, EPA officials said. The permit establishes emission limits for the flare, which controls emissions captured by the facility's landfill gas collection system. The permit also limits particulate (fugitive dust) emissions related to the facility's unpaved roadways, parking areas, material handling and rail unloading areas.

Apex Sanitary Landfill includes a composite liner system; leachate collection system; surface water management system; ground water monitoring system; explosive gas monitoring and extraction system; and final closure cap system. The final solid waste permit also incorporates 30 years of post-closure care and financial assurance for closure and post-closure care.

More information, including copies of the company's approved permits and Ohio EPA's response-to-comments documents, is available for review online at www.epa.ohio.gov/pic/apex.aspx and at Ohio EPA's Southeast District Office (2195 Front St. in Logan) by first calling (740) 385-8501 or (800) 686-7330 to schedule a file review.

Issuance of the permits can be appealed to the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission. Many appeals must be filed within 30 days of issuing the final action; therefore, Ohio EPA recommends that anyone wishing to file an appeal contact ERAC at (614) 466-8950 or www.erac.ohio.gov for more information.