Mill Seat Landfill Expansion SEQR & Permitting

What was the Challenge?

Barton & Loguidice was retained to develop the environmental review and permitting application documents for a 118.3-acre lateral expansion of the Mill Seat Landfill. This project was unique in several ways. The Mill Seat Landfill Expansion involved collaboration between the project engineers (B&L), site owner (Monroe County), site operator (Waste Management), host community (the Town of Riga), regulators (the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [NYSDEC] and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE]), and the general public. The expansion also posed unique engineering challenges due to its integration into the existing landfill site and infrastructure, and because of its proximity to several protected wetland and stream areas.

How did Barton & Loguidice provide a solution?

B&L staff were able to design an optimal landfill expansion that maximized available disposal capacity, minimized environmental impacts, and mitigated any potentially adverse impacts from the landfill expansion. Solid waste engineers collaborated with environmental scientists and experts from other disciplines within B&L to develop various field studies—including wetland and stream delineation and mitigation plans, visual analysis of the expansion, noise assessments for landfill operations, and stormwater management design. Due to our decision to use and modify existing infrastructure, B&L was able to design an expansion that overlaid onto existing landfill area, using the existing landfill liner system in some areas to provide additional disposal capacity in addition to what was already constructed onsite. Associated wetland and stream mitigations will result in the creation of 85 acres of wetlands and buffer areas to replace those impacted onsite, and the restoration of 1,965 feet of riparian buffer located in Churchville Park. In addition, the expansion will provide approximately 30 additional years of local and economical solid waste disposal capacity to Monroe County and the surrounding area.

Why was the project a success?

The Mill Seat Landfill Expansion design was approved by the NYSDEC for construction and operation. The USACE also approved the project and issued permits for the wetland and stream impacts and mitigation. In addition, significant public outreach by the site owner and site operator ensured a smooth environmental review process. The initial cell of the expansion was designed between 2016-2017 and the construction is completed.