Permitting time frames can be very specific to the action being requested and the site conditions. Generally speaking, the timing for a landfill permitting effort could take between 2-6 years. A transfer station permit is less complex and would likely take less than 2-3 years. See Section 7.2.2 (page 7-4) of the Report.

Although this is possible, it is not likely. The landfill site is constrained to horizontal and vertical development (beyond what was detailed in the report) due to existing infrastructure and natural features. It is not likely that much other area on the existing site could be developed past what is currently being investigated.

It is anticipated that the landfill permitted capacity will be exhausted at the end of the current lease period.

In 2022, approximately 85% of the recycling received at the recycling facility came from out of county. See page 1-6 of the report for more detail.

Yes. The continued use of the recycling facility would require the County go through a procurement process to determine an operator.

Yes. The conclusions made in the report are based on known data and professional assumptions. If other landfills in the area were to close, that would cause significant disruption in the regional waste market which is not possible to quantify. Specifically, Seneca Meadows is permitted to accept almost 2 millions tons per year of waste material, if that site closes, that quantity of material will need to go elsewhere.

This is an engineering question that would require further investigation if an expansion is sought. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) regulations were updated in 2023 to require a thicker synthetic liner for newly constructed landfill cells. It is possible that the NSYDEC could require an additional liner layer between the existing waste mass and the potential vertical expansion.

If there is a competitive market, under the right terms, it is possible that a qualified private operator would have an interest in operating a smaller scale facility. Procurement processes could explore the opportunities and level of interest at various tonnage levels.

A “tipping fee” is the cost that’s passed on to haulers delivering waste to the landfill, or recycling to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), on a per ton basis. For those individuals with curbside collection services, the tip fee is a portion of the monthly service fee that is passed through by the hauler along with the costs to pick up the material at the curb (truck, gas, employee) and profit.

Yes, closure and Post Closure care of the landfill facility is identified as a contractual obligation of the current landfill operator under the existing operating contract. This obligation includes the costs associated with; site maintenance, groundwater monitoring, gas monitoring and collection, as well as leachate collection and treatment. The current post closure monitoring time frame is identified by regulation as a minimum of 30 years that begins once the NYSDEC certifies closure of the site. After that period of time, if an operator can demonstrate to the NYSDEC satisfaction that the threat to public health and the environment has been reduced, a custodial care period begins. This period still requires site maintenance and monitoring. Financial assurance must be provided by the landfill’s operator to ensure bonding that covers the anticipated costs. These financial assurance estimates and bonds have to be updated and approved by NYSDEC annually.

It is understood that the residential surveys conducted by the Town of Seneca did produce the results detailed in the question. Referenced in the report is the fact that the elected officials voted unanimously to recommend no continued landfill use at the site post 2028.

Source separated materials delivered to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) are sorted, processed and marketed for reuse. The MRF has a residue stream that is mainly comprised of non-acceptable materials. This residue rate is generally around 10%. This residue material is landfilled.

The post closure period begins after the facility has ceased all operations and the facility has been capped and closed as certified by NYSDEC.

Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) material is not included in the waste generation numbers within the report. BUD materials, as designated by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), are wastes that are able to be beneficially used as cover, drainage material, etc. within the lined footprint of the landfill cells, in lieu of virgin material (dirt, gravel, etc.). Because of this use the tonnage is considered exempt by regulation and does not count against the permitted tonnage limit. The county’s current contract is based on the permitted tonnage limit of approximately, 916,000 tons per year.

Approximately 100 people attended the two in-person and one virtual public outreach events.  The presentation was recorded and is available on the “Community Events” portion of this site.

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