The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced a public meeting to address community questions and provide updates on the operations of five facilities in Schuylkill County that have drawn public attention in recent months.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Tremont Municipal Building, located at 139 Clay St., Tremont, PA 17981.
Representatives from the DEP will be available to discuss the activities and permit statuses of the following facilities:
- Natural Soil Products (Frailey Township): A permitted Exceptional Quality biosolids facility.
- Liberty Soils (Reilly Township): Another Exceptional Quality biosolids facility.
- Summit Anthracite (Good Spring): A mining facility permitted for beneficial use of drinking water treatment sludge and other industrial by-products in its reclamation efforts.
- Rausch Creek (Pine Grove): A strip-mining site with a pending mining permit application.
- CES Landfill (Hegins): A permitted landfill for municipal and residual waste, currently seeking approval for an expansion.
The meeting will cover a range of topics, including DEP’s permitting process, biosolid applications, and environmental implications tied to these facilities. Community members are encouraged to attend to raise concerns and gain insight into local operations.
In order to address as many questions as possible, DEP has asked individuals to pre-submit written questions to Environmental Justice Coordinator Maria Ocasio at mocasio@pa.gov or by mailing them to the Bethlehem District Office at 4530 Bath Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Submissions will be accepted until the day of the meeting.
Meeting Format
Each attendee will be allowed to ask two questions and one follow-up question. After everyone has had an opportunity to participate, if time allows, individuals may ask one additional question. Those who pre-register will have priority on the meeting agenda, although sign-ups will be open on the day of the event.
The DEP encourages individuals with disabilities requiring special accommodations to contact Colleen Connolly at 570-826-2511 or use the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 800-654-5984 (TDD) to discuss their needs.