Hundreds show opposition to landfill

Hundreds of residents showed up at public hearing Tuesday to oppose a private construction waste landfill being built in their rural community in southwestern Charleston County.

Many spoke passionately against the project proposed by Tre Sheppard, of Sheppard Construction Co. in Mount Pleasant. Sheppard wants to build a landfill on land he owns off U.S. Highway 17 near Parkers Ferry Road in Adams Run.

He said the area needs such a landfill since the county's Bees Ferry Landfill stopped taking commercial construction waste and debris last summer. He also has said he plans to build an environmentally sound landfill that will promote economic development in the area.

Charleston County Council will ultimately decide whether to approve a zoning change and amend the county's comprehensive land-use plan to allow the project. Landfill opponents say it will likely leak toxins into the fragile low-lying environment on the edge of the ACE Basin. They fear it will contaminate the wells they depend on for water. They also are concerned that it will harm the Edisto River water supply.

Tom Hutto, a geologist and member of the Meggett Town Council, said the soil at the proposed site is not ideal for a landfill and the project would be an eyesore. He said he also thinks that the area has sufficient space to dispose of construction debris. "It's an oversized, unnecessary landfill."

Richmond Truesdale, who lives in Adams Run, said he's heard a few area residents say the landfill could bring some money to the area. But, he said, "All the money in the world can't be traded for good health."

Representatives from the Coastal Conservation League and MeadWestvaco also spoke against the project. MeadWestvaco owns thousands of acres of land in the southwestern part of the county. William Baughman, the company's manager of special projects, said MeadWestvaco is simply opposed to the location of the proposed landfill.

But Blake Burgess, a partner in the Fuss and O'Neill engineering firm who has been consulting with Sheppard on the project for the past two years, said, "This is an ideal site for a landfill." Burgess said he used to work for the state to find landfill sites. Sheppard's land has a layer of thick clay, he said, and liquid will not leak through it.

Sheppard said he thinks his foes are putting out a lot of misinformation. "This kind of information causes hysteria and fear," he said.

The county's Planning Commission voted last month to recommend County Council not approve the zoning change and amendment. Tuesday's public hearing was the second step.

Council Chairman Teddie Pryor said Sheppard has asked County Council to defer considering the project for at least 60 days. Council will consider his request at a committee meeting Feb. 12, Pryor said.