Environmental Services - Active Capital Projects at Closed Landfills

ACTIVE CAPITAL PROJECTS AT CLOSED LANDFILLS

ABINGDON LANDFILL

From 1960 until 1973, the Abingdon Landfill accepted municipal solid waste for disposal. The site is located on a portion of a 24-acre parcel, situated off of Old Philadelphia Road approximately ½ mile southwest of Abingdon. In addition to the closed landfill, the property is also the site of current County operations, including Highways, Water and Sewer, and Office on Aging Transportation Services facilities.

A capital project is underway to identify any environmental concerns which may have arisen as a result of the former landfill operations at the site. Appropriate remedial actions will be completed as necessary to protect public health and the environment.

BUSH VALLEY LANDFILL

The Bush Valley Landfill is located on the north side of Bush Road, approximately one mile northeast of Abingdon. This privately owned and operated facility accepted solid waste from 1975 through 1982. After operations at the site ceased, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maryland Department of the Environment reviewed the environmental conditions at the site, and in 1988 the site was placed on the EPA’s National Priorities List.

Harford County Government, being identified by the EPA as one the potentially responsible parties related to Bush Valley Landfill, conducted a remedial investigation and feasibility study at the site pursuant to an agreement with the EPA. Data and evaluations resulting from this work were used by the EPA to prepare its September 1995 Record of Decision, which identified remedial actions to be completed at the site. The required actions include provisions for capping of the landfill, control of landfill gas, and monitoring of the environmental conditions at the site and adjacent areas. The County, in cooperation with other parties, has entered into an agreement to design, construct, maintain, and monitor the remedial actions.

MADONNA LANDFILL

The Madonna Landfill is located in the northwestern portion of Harford County, off of Madonna Road. The site encompasses 26 acres, a portion of which was used for disposal of solid waste from 1957 until 1985. The waste deposited at the site primarily came from the surrounding rural and agricultural areas, and consisted of residential and farm waste. With the exception of monitoring by County personnel, no other County activities are currently taking place at the site. Trees and vegetation planted on the site after closure are thriving, and the landfill resembles the surrounding forested area. The County has funded a capital project to protect the public health and the environment.

MULLINS LANDFILL

Located on a 102-acre parcel of County-owned land, the Mullins Landfill is situated approximately ½ mile east of Aberdeen off of Old Post Road. During the period of 1969 through 1976, Harford County operated a portion of the site as a municipal solid waste landfill. The facility served primarily the surrounding Aberdeen and Havre de Grace areas. Subsequent to cessation of landfill operations, the site was reopened in 1982 as a scrap tire storage facility. Tire storage at the site continued until 1996, when the remaining tires were removed for disposal at off-site locations. Fences and other site features related to the former tire storage activities are being removed; the remainder of the site is well vegetated.

A capital project has been established to investigate potential environmental concerns which may have resulted from the presence of the landfill or from subsequent operations at the site. Portions of the property are being considered for development of recreational facilities.

PERRYMAN LANDFILL

From 1953 until 1973, a small landfill was active on the west side of Perryman Road, approximately ½ mile south of Canning House Road. The landfill was adjacent to an area that would later become a residential development. In response to concerns about the presence of gas produced by decomposition of organic matter in waste, a venting system has been installed on the perimeter of the landfill. The soil gas and groundwater at the site are monitored to maintain that the site does not pose a threat to public health or the environment.

TOLLGATE LANDFILL

The Tollgate Landfill is a closed facility located west of Bel Air. Landfill operations took place on two portions of the site, comprising approximately 62 acres, during the period of 1954 through 1987. Landfill closure and remediation are on-going. The landfill has been capped, and a landfill gas control system is operating. A groundwater remediation system is operating at the site, and a project to expand and upgrade the system is underway. Monitoring of groundwater and soil gas is carried out on a routine basis. Future uses of the site are being considered, possibly including recreation activities.

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