[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24496]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         CAMDEN COUNTY LANDFILL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, most of us believe we are sent to 
Washington, DC, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the 
people we represent. I rise today with deep concern that the inaction 
of two Federal agencies is threatening the welfare of my constituents 
and the environmental treasures of my district.
  As I speak, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental 
Protection Agency are sitting on their hands witnessing the possible 
construction of one of the largest landfills in America near the 
Virginia-North Carolina border.
  While it saddens me that the elected officials of one of North 
Carolina's most beautiful counties would pollute their community with 
the garbage of over 20 States, I do not represent that county. However, 
when the safety and drinking water of my constituents and the 
ecological health of my district is put at risk, I cannot remain 
silent.
  Camden County, North Carolina, has approved a mega-landfill to be 
located less than 1,000 yards south of the City of Chesapeake, 
Virginia, and adjacent to two environmental treasures: the Dismal Swamp 
Canal and the Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
  This mega-landfill will cover almost 500 acres, reach a height of 280 
feet, extend 2.5 miles in length, and upon full construction will be 
visible 20 miles away. The giant landfill would cram the garbage of 
over 100 million people in over 20 States into a county with less than 
9,000 people. Garbage from New York City would be barged in mass into a 
tidewater port and transported via a fleet of 1,000 garbage truck trips 
per day on congested roads and bridges, including the Federally-funded 
Route 17, which connects Virginia and North Carolina.
  One would trust that, given something of this magnitude, that careful 
consideration, study, and deliberation would have been conducted prior 
to approval. One would trust that, since this mega-landfill will be 
situated in the midst of one of the most ecologically valuable wetland 
areas on the East Coast, that public hearings were held, detailed 
surveys conducted, and scientists and ecologists consulted. One would 
trust that, given the fact that this landfill would be situated in a 
flood zone and within storm surge area for major hurricanes, that 
emergency plans had been formulated and Federal agencies sought for 
advice. One would certainly trust the very people who live, work, and 
rear their children in this area would have had an opportunity for 
public input.
  But, Mr. Speaker, that is not the case. No water quality studies were 
conducted by the Corps, no ecological studies performed by the EPA, no 
Federal advice, no warnings.
  But here is the real issue: Had this dump site been proposed less 
than 1,000 yards north in Virginia, it would have been subject to all 
the appropriate scrutiny. There would have been public input, Federal 
agency comment, analysis of alternative sites, and environmental 
studies, all because the site would have been located within a 
different district of the Army Corps.

                              {time}  2115

  How is it that on one side of the border small farmers and businesses 
are subject to intense scrutiny from the Army Corps, whereas on the 
other side of the border a 500-acre landfill does not even raise a 
Federal eyebrow? And if dumping 83 million tons of garbage in a flood 
zone does not require the EPA to do an environmental study, what does?
  It is inconceivable to me that the Federal Government is allowing 
bureaucratic entanglements and inertia to obstruct its most primary 
duty, to protect the citizens and resources of the United States. I 
urge General Strock and the Army Corps of Engineers to resolve the 
internal discrepancies that allow a landfill that impacts two areas so 
similarly to be treated so differently. And I call upon the 
Environmental Protection Agency to step up to the task they have been 
charged with, to protect the environment and preserve it for our 
children and grandchildren.

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