Monroe County Commission releases statement on H.A.M. Sanitary Landfill fire

MONROE COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – The Monroe County Commission has released a statement regarding the H.A.M. Sanitary Landfill fire. The following is the complete statement:

“On Friday, August 2, 2024, at around 8:00 PM, a fire ignited within a shredded tire pile utilized by the H.A.M. Sanitary Landfill in Monroe County. Through the unwavering efforts of numerous local fire departments stationed in Monroe, Mercer, Summers, and Giles Counties, the fire was effectively contained from encroaching upon the surrounding areas.

“Upon the commencement of the fire, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and Homeland Security were promptly notified. They promptly dispatched a mobile command center to the landfill, which has been continuously monitoring air quality and conditions during the ongoing fire.

“During the peak of the fire, the Commission reached out to the West Virginia Governor’s Office, expressing the immense workload and pressure faced by the local volunteer fire departments. In response, Governor Justice issued an order to utilize tankers owned by the West Virginia Department of Transportation to assist in the firefighting efforts. Currently, a contracted company from the landfill’s owners is actively engaged in the firefighting operation, which has demonstrated significant progress, with approximately 95% of the fire extinguished.

“The Commission is committed to ensuring the well-being and safety of all residents within the county, regardless of their geographical location. With the EPA overseeing the continuous monitoring of air quality, the Commission is confident that the health and safety of the community remain the primary focus of the ongoing operation.

“The Commission would also like to clarify any rumors circulating about this current situation and any past incidents. Firstly, no taxpayer dollars will be utilized for this ongoing situation. All costs incurred, including those for volunteer fire departments, will be solely covered by the owner’s insurance company. Secondly, the only revenue generated from the landfill is for personal property and real estate taxes, which are relatively minimal. Of these taxes, 75% is allocated to the Board of Education. The Monroe County Solid Waste Authority also receives $0.50 a ton for their recycling efforts per the West Virginia State Code. Finally, an ordinance could not have prevented these types of situations. While ordinances can regulate certain activities, they cannot override state laws. In this instance, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) oversees the landfills and issues any necessary permits. Their regulations supersede any ordinance the Commission can enact.

While some may assert that the Commission is passive and allows these incidents to transpire without intervention, this assertion is inaccurate. The Commission and Elected Officials maintain constant communication with the WV Division of Environmental Protection. When the permit extension commenced, there were no plans to hold public meetings regarding it. The Commission engaged with the WVDEP and urged them to convene a public meeting. This meeting was held in Peterstown.

“The Commission remains committed to safeguarding the well-being and opportunities of thee residents of Monroe County. This county is unique and cherished by all. We appreciate your support. We extend our sincere gratitude and continued support to all our local volunteer fire fighters,e emergency personnel, Richard Miller (911 Director) and 911 Dispatchers. Your dedication is not unnoticed.”

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