KIMBALL TWP, MI — Officials with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) are inviting public comment and participation in a virtual meeting regarding a proposed enforcement action against Smiths Creek Landfill in St. Clair County’s Kimball Township.
The landfill, owned and operated by St. Clair County, has been the subject of several investigations by EGLE’s Air Quality Division (AQD) due to non-compliance with state and federal environmental regulations.
Blue Water Renewables, which operates an electric generation facility on-site using landfill gas as fuel, is not the subject of the current enforcement.
According to EGLE officials, from October 2023 through July 2024, the agency issued multiple violation notices citing emissions issues with the landfill’s gas collection and control systems, as well as other improper operations. Key violations included:
- Persistent nuisance odors that affected nearby residents’ quality of life.
- Failure to comply with provisions of its Renewable Operating Permit and applicable environmental rules and regulations.
In response, EGLE has drafted an Administrative Consent Order which proposes a legally binding compliance plan, a monetary fine and penalties for any future violations. The ACO is now open for public review and comment.
Public input encouraged
Residents and stakeholders have until June 6 to submit formal comments regarding the air quality-related aspects of the enforcement order. Comments can be submitted in several ways:
- Online: Through the MiEnviro Portal
- Email: RathbunJ1@Michigan.gov
- Mail: EGLE, Air Quality Division, Enforcement Unit, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, MI 48909
Virtual public hearing – May 29
An informational session and public hearing will be held virtually at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 29. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more and offer testimony.
- Join via computer: https://bit.ly/AQD052925
- Listen by phone: Dial 636-651-3142 and enter code 374288
The hearing will begin immediately following the informational session and is limited to accepting formal public testimony on the record.
Background on Smiths Creek Landfill
Located in Kimball Township, Smiths Creek Landfill is a municipal solid waste facility that provides waste management services for the region. While such landfills play a necessary role in the state’s infrastructure, EGLE emphasizes that they must operate responsibly and in compliance with environmental standards.
For more information about the Smiths Creek Landfill enforcement action or the upcoming hearing, visit Michigan.gov/EGLESmithsCreek.
Additional air quality actions currently open for public comment can be found at Michigan.gov/EGLEAirPublicNotice.
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