SENECA FALLS, N.Y. — The operators of Seneca Meadows Landfill are seeking to expand New York’s largest landfill, but some residents and state leaders are pushing back.
We’ve been covering the proposed expansion for years.
Waste Connections, which owns the landfill, wants to increase its footprint by nearly 50 acres and raise its maximum height by 70 feet. The Seneca Lake Guardian, a local environmental group, held a town hall with state and local leaders to hear from the community about the proposed expansion.
Dozens of people gathered at the Seneca Falls Community Center to voice their opposition to the expansion.
“We really feel for these people and our community, our Finger Lakes [are] beautiful. We want to keep it that way,” said Marilyn Howard.
Howard and her cousin, Stephanie Michaels, live about 10 miles away in Geneva, but say the fight against Seneca Meadows unites communities across the Finger Lakes. David Benedict, who lives in nearby Waterloo, said he is worried about air and water quality and public health.
“I have to hold my breath going up for 414 when I go by the landfill. That’s where it’s really horrendous. The smell,” Benedict said.
“Where’s [the trash runoff] going? It’s going into our groundwater. Where is that flowing? Into the lake,” Benedict said.
Local advocates from the Seneca Lake Guardian were joined by assemblymembers from across the state. Emily Gallagher, who represents parts of Brooklyn, said she wants to ensure Seneca Falls does not face consequences for taking in Downstate New York’s garbage.
“I care deeply about creating solutions and paths forward so that we can heal the environment and also offer every single community in New York State a real opportunity for self-determination and for, safe, healthy and happy lives,” Gallagher said.
One of the youngest voices at the meeting was 11-year-old Leo Mull, who shared his concerns.
“It stinks. And I want to be working on my soccer skills and be outside riding my bike with my friends…I step outside and like, I step back inside because it smells really bad,” Mull said. He added, that happens at least once per week.
Sara Mull, Leo’s mother, said she does not want her child to have to fight for clean air and water.
“You don’t want your 11-year-old to have to fight to make sure that they have clean air and clean water. But obviously, as parents, you know, we see what air pollution and water pollution can do to, you know, a child’s growing body,” Mull said.
A representative from the Department of Environmental Conservation said if the application for the Seneca Meadows expansion goes through, there will be a period of public comment before any expansion begins.
According to the DEC, as of September 21st, Seneca Meadows has not completed its application for expansion. That was the same case when we reached out to the DEC in June.
News10NBC reached out multiple times to Waste Connections but did not receive a response.
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