Denise Robinson, Deputy Director of Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN)
On August 30, on behalf of EJCAN (the Environmental Justice Community Action Network) the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a proposed court enforceable agreement with GFL in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to address PFAS pollution and other EJ issues at the Sampson County Landfill, (read SELC’s Press Release).
The Sampson County Landfill is in Roseboro, NC, more specifically what is known as the Snow Hill Community. The landfill has plagued the community for years with pollution and many other nuisance conditions. The agreement will provide community-led relief for the predominantly community of color.
“This agreement brings long-sought relief from pollution and reparation to the Snow Hill community, putting resources and information in the community’s hands to care for their safety and health and start rebuilding after decades of ignored concerns,” said EJCAN Executive Director Sherri White-Williamson.
“This agreement with GFL to address toxic PFAS pollution, meaningfully investigate and address emissions from the landfill, and fund community-led remediation efforts provides crucial relief and empowers the Snow Hill community to repair and look forward,” said Maia Hutt, attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, which represents EJCAN. “Our hope is that this agreement provides a foundation upon which the Snow Hill community can build a safe, healthy future.”
As a result of the agreement:
- GFL will basically eliminate PFAS discharge to surface water
- GFL will use methane-sensing drones to identify hot spots and retain and independent consultant to develop a pollution monitoring system around the landfill
- GFL will establish a community fund to be managed by and for the Snow Hill Community residents
- GFL will hold regular meetings with community members and establish a complaint system
