Rocky Top landfill is to be cleaned up by Ecology and Yakima County | Local

Two regulatory agencies have instructed the company operating the Rocky Top landfill west of Yakima to clean up or face enforcement action.

The state Department of Ecology says the landfill — DTG Recycle — is emitting toxic gases into the atmosphere and must conduct cleanup work.

And Yakima County’s planning department says the company has been operating outside normal business hours in violation of its permit and has failed to install a vegetation buffer on the north side of its gravel mining area.

DTG’s landfill manager, Aaron Enebrad, said he would not be ready to comment on the matter until Monday.

DTG responded to Ecology with a letter stating that it was open to working with regulators to resolve the issues

“DTG is committed to working with Ecology and other agencies to address all issues via the appropriate regulatory mechanism,” the Oct. 26 letter said.

DTG acquired the Anderson Rock and Demolition Pit in Oct 2019. The operation is located on the flanks Cowiche Mountain, and includes a limited-purpose landfill and a gravel mine. It also contains petroleum contaminated soils.

The company has been expanding its operations, drawing the ire of residents who have complained repeatedly about the smell and dust emanating from the site since it was taken over by new owners.

Residents have also complained about the increased traffic at the landfill and the evening operations. These complaints led regulators to pay more attention to the operation and to conduct groundwater and air studies.

Ecology notified DTG in late September that its landfill was emitting unsafe amounts of benzene/naphthalene into our atmosphere. The company was given 30 working days to respond.

Ecology sent DTG a Nov. 2, 2009 letter informing them of the toxic releases and asking for their assistance in cleaning it up.

“Ecology has determined that it is in the public interest for remedial actions to take place at this site,” the letter said.

The letter stated that cleanup must be in accordance with the Model Toxics Control Act.

Ecology’s website outlines the issues surrounding the landfill.

The letter stated that if the company does not act, it could face an administrative cleanup order, fines up to $25,000 per day, and liability for up three times the state’s costs.

Tommy Carroll, Yakima County Planning Officer, wrote DTG on November 1st warning the company to cease operating outside its permissible hours and to put up a buffer of vegetation near one its gravel pits. This was required in a 2003 mining license.

Carroll’s letter included a photo of trucks with their lights on at the site after dark. According to the operating permits, Carroll said that the photo was taken around 9:30 p.m. The hours of operation are set to close at 6 p.m.

“The neighbors have expressed concerns that dumping is occurring after established operating hours, when agency oversight of the facility is non-existent,” Carroll said the letter.

According to a 2003 mining license, DTG is also required to install a buffer of vegetation five years before expanding its mining operations.

Carroll asked DTG to install the buffer in a suitable weather condition and to send proof of work to the county. The letter stated.