Jeff Brooks | Duke Energy Leachate collection tanks at the Brickhaven Mine site capture any remaining moisture in the coal ash after it is stored in the fully lined structural fill, according to Duke Energy. Leachate is transported to a wastewater treatment facility to be processed. - Courtesy photo Denise Lee of Pee Dee WALL said that former county landfill inspector Sam Dawkins took photos showing problems with the landfill during his time there a few years ago. This photo allegedly shows spilled trash at the landfill. Although the photo collection was dated in 2007 and 2008, Lee said most of the photos were taken in 2014 or 2015. -

Anson County commissioners agreed to look into a resolution against coal ash during their meeting May 3.

Environmentalists with Pee Dee WALL (Water, Air, Land and Lives) and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League asked the commissioners whether they had considered a draft of a resolution brought to them earlier this year.

The resolution would state the commissioners’ opposition to allowing coal ash to come into Anson County. The environmental groups brought the proposed resolution to the commissioners in response to Duke Energy’s L.V. Sutton Electric Plant Coal Ash Excavation Plan, which lists the Polkton landfill as a backup site if the first two sites fail.

“In the event the structural fill options are not available, the Anson County Landfill, located in Polkton, N.C. has been identified as the alternation location,” the plan states. “This landfill is a permitted solid waste landfill. Material will be transported by rail or truck.”

The plan was published by Duke Energy on Nov. 13, 2015.

County attorney Scott Forbes said he had looked at the resolution but had not yet thoroughly examined it. He told the board he would read it before the commissioners’ June meeting.

Two presenters spoke during the time for public comment, presenting a petition against coal ash containing 810 signatures.

Cary Rodgers, a representative with the environmental league, told the board that Anson is an “official alternative” site for coal ash if the first two locations fail for whatever reason, and that the commissioners need to take action to keep coal ash out of the Polkton landfill.

He also addressed the commissioners’ response to photos brought to them in April.

Denise Lee, a member of Pee Dee WALL, had brought the photos along with other members of the group. Lee said the photos were taken by former landfill inspector Sam Dawkins a year or two ago and alleged that they showed a variety of problems with the landfill at the time, including erosion and leakage. Although the photos had time-stamps giving dates from 2007 and 2008, Lee said most of the photos were taken in 2014 and 2015.

During their retreat in April, some commissioners said the photos were too old to give an accurate portrayal of the current state of the landfill.

Rodgers conceded that the photos are old, but said they show that the landfill is not equipped to handle coal ash.

“The last time we were here, we actually gave you pictures to give you the character of the past of the landfill,” Rodgers said. “That was the whole point. It was taken by an ex-employee of the county here to show you the character. That was the main point, to show that it was not capable of taking care of any type of hazardous waste and that it needed to deal with its household garbage in a better manner.”

Rodgers said that he toured the landfill last month.

“What I saw was some of the things that was actually in the pictures,” Rodgers said. “I know a little bit about the landfill. I know a little bit about how it should be taken care of, and I saw erosion in the landfill. I saw some of the silk fences, the fences that are supposed to be up along the wood, I saw some of those down. And then, when we get to the top of the landfill, I see trash blowing all over, even into the pond. The excuse was, ‘Well, we had a windy day.’”

Rodgers said he asked if the trash had been covered in six inches of dirt as he believed was required, and said that he was told by a landfill employee that it had been covered by a tarp according to state standards. Rodgers said the tarp was ineffective due to the wind.

The issue, he said, illustrated his problem.

“What’s going to be the excuse with coal ash?” he asked. “‘Oh, it was just a windy day.’ That was the whole point. Not trying to shut down the landfill. We’re going to make sure it’s here, it’s not only running by state regulations, but exceeding that.”

Rodgers repeated the request he has asked at previous meetings and asked that the commissioners reform the citizens advisory board to oversee the landfill.

Rodgers also addressed a comment Commissioner Vancine Sturdivant had made during the commissioners’ April retreat about his pay.

At the retreat, Sturdivant told the board that she discovered that Rodgers is paid for his work with the league and receives travel reimbursements.

“So they get paid to do that kind of stuff,” she said.

Rodgers acknowledged that he does receive a stipend and travel reimbursement.

“I didn’t understand and see what that has to do with anything about me actually working with the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and get a stipend for that,” he said. “It appeared to me what you’re trying to do is discredit the messenger of what’s happening at the landfill.”

Rodgers said his employment with the league was announced two years ago in the newspaper and that the fact that he is paid is not a secret.

“I live in this community,” he said. “I pay taxes in this community. So, what I’m telling you, I have the right to talk about this particular issue, if I get paid or don’t get paid. That’s just the bottom line.”

Sturdivant said that the photos brought to the commissioners by environmentalists were misleading due to their age and said she took a tour of the landfill the morning after the meeting. She said the groups are spreading negative information about the county that will affect county growth.

“In doing my research, I found out that you get paid,” she said. “Let me tell you what happens. If you don’t find enough negativity, do you think that company will keep paying you?”

Chairman Anna Baucom stopped the debate, saying that Rodgers was over the three-minute time limit for public comments to the board.

Later in the meeting, the board discussed coming up with appointments to the citizens advisory board as the environmental groups have requested.

Commissioners Bobby Sikes and Jim Sims said that they want the board to look at the proposed resolution against coal ash at the next meeting after Forbes has reviewed it.

“It may not do any good, but it shows we are against it,” Sikes said.

The commissioners’ next regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. June 7 in the board meeting room on the second floor of the Anson County Government Building, located at 101 South Greene Street, Wadesboro.

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.

Jeff Brooks | Duke Energy Leachate collection tanks at the Brickhaven Mine site capture any remaining moisture in the coal ash after it is stored in the fully lined structural fill, according to Duke Energy. Leachate is transported to a wastewater treatment facility to be processed. https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Leachate-collection-tanks-at-Brickhaven-fz.jpg Jeff Brooks | Duke Energy Leachate collection tanks at the Brickhaven Mine site capture any remaining moisture in the coal ash after it is stored in the fully lined structural fill, according to Duke Energy. Leachate is transported to a wastewater treatment facility to be processed. Courtesy photo Denise Lee of Pee Dee WALL said that former county landfill inspector Sam Dawkins took photos showing problems with the landfill during his time there a few years ago. This photo allegedly shows spilled trash at the landfill. Although the photo collection was dated in 2007 and 2008, Lee said most of the photos were taken in 2014 or 2015. https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_thumbnail_TIRES.jpg Courtesy photo Denise Lee of Pee Dee WALL said that former county landfill inspector Sam Dawkins took photos showing problems with the landfill during his time there a few years ago. This photo allegedly shows spilled trash at the landfill. Although the photo collection was dated in 2007 and 2008, Lee said most of the photos were taken in 2014 or 2015.