EDEN - Could laws protecting airports cause turbulence for a proposed landfill in Rockingham County? The developer says no, but state officials say they aren't sure.
Landfills that accept household trash are prohibited within six miles of some airports by federal law. County planning data puts the border of Shiloh Airport less than two miles from land Oak Ridge developer Kevan Combs is pursuing for a 350-acre landfill.
Prompted by questions this week from county planning officials, the N.C. Department of Transportation's Division of Aviation is looking into whether such laws could stop or alter the project. But Richard Walls, director of the division, said it isn't that simple.
"The answer right now is I'm not sure," Walls said. "There's quite a bit of language in there and some interpretation is needed."
The idea behind the law is that rotting garbage in landfills attracts wildlife that could pose a danger to planes.
"It's going to be bad for the airport," Neil Fair said. "You hit one of these birds, and that's it. You're done for."
Fair is a pilot and a member of the Rockingham County Airport Authority. He said the authority opposes the landfill because of the dangers it poses and because it could limit growth of the airport.
Walls said his office's first concern is safety, but it also must determine if the state has jurisdiction in the matter. It's also uncertain if Shiloh Airport would qualify for protection under the law. It could be too small to fit the criteria.
Either way, Walls said, a landfill could pose a threat to planes. If DOT determined that to be the case it would issue that opinion to landfill permitting agencies such as the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The data DOT would collect would include a wildlife study.
Combs said he and his team researched the site, near N.C. 135 and Harrington Highway, before applying to the county for a special-use permit to open the landfill. Shiloh, he said, does not meet the law's criteria.
"I respect everyone's concerns and I think everyone involved is doing the right thing to put safety first and so are we," Combs said.
Combs has not yet purchased the land as he awaits permit approval. Commissioners could vote on the permit in early August.
Contact J. Brian Ewing at 627-4881, Ext. 120, or brian.ewing @news-record.com
nA proposal puts a new 350-acre Eden landfill within 2 miles of Shiloh Airport, which may be illegal.
