Progress is being made, but "there are still improvements to be made," when it comes to odors from the Orchard Hill Landfill between Coloma and Watervliet. That's State Representative Al Pscholka's assessment following his fourth Town Hall meeting in Coloma last night attended by more than 40 people.
Pscholka was accompanied at the Town Hall session by staff members from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and representatives from the Landfill Management Company which owns and operates Orchard Hill.
Pscholka called the session "constructive," as he gave residents instructions on how to properly register complaints regarding odor issues at the landfill site and neighboring properties. He also updated the status of his proposal for increased fines through House Bill 4783.
Pscholka told those in attendance last night, “My office and I have worked on this issue for years.” He added, “I’ve been urging residents to continue filing complaints, if they have them. The landfill and the Department of Environmental Quality need officially registered complaints in order to pinpoint the source of reported odors and understand the scope of the issue.”
The event was held at the North Berrien Senior Center, and following three prior such sessions, Pscholka proposed legislation to increase penalties under Michigan’s waste management laws for first and second violations from $10,000 and $25,000 to $20,000 and $40,000, respectively. The third-term lawmaker’s HB 4783 received strong bipartisan support and passed by an overwhelming 77-29 margin in January. The bill awaits further consideration in the Michigan Senate.
Pscholka told the Town Hall audience last night, “We need all hands on deck to address this quality of life issue.” He added, “I’m grateful for those local and state stakeholders that are working to resolve unpleasant odors, and I’m pleased that we had folks from the DEQ and Landfill Management Company join us to answer residents’ concerns.”
The state rep's office has also updated the odor reporting process detailing the brief steps that can be taken online or over the telephone to properly register complaints. Residents are asked to report a complaint with the DEQ and then call the landfill so that the odor may be investigated. More information and the necessary reporting forms can be found online at RepPscholka79.com or requested by e-mail at AlPscholka@house.mi.gov.
Following the Monday night session, Pscholka said, “It is evident that we are moving in the right direction on this issue. However, residents at our town hall have spoken loud and clear that there are still improvements to be made. I look forward to continuing work on this very important issue.”
