HORRY COUNTY -- The Horry County Solid Waste Authority has approved an expansion of the landfill on Highway 90 just outside of Conway. The expansion will double the size of the facility.
But some, including Nancy Cave, the Coastal Conservation League's Director of the North Coast office, don't think the expansion is necessary.
"This is expansion is not necessary. If the solid waste authority had increased recycling then there would be no need for the expansion," said Cave.
Cave also points to the possible environmental implications of a landfill expansion, but she said she doesn't expect any help from the Department of Health and Environmental Control.
"DHEC doesn't look at the impact of the landfill on the community and wildlife. They strictly base their decisions on regulations from the state," said Cave.
Shirley Thorpe owns Highway 90 Hair Salon, just up the street from the landfill. She says the battle against the landfill is nothing new.
Thorpe said, "We've been fighting the landfill since it was put in place. The smell is terrible at night, but I fear that if they expand the landfill we'll be able to smell it all the time."
"The community feels helpless when fighting the waste authority because every time we do put up a fight the waste authority just over rules us," added Thorpe.
NewsChannel 15 plans to speak with Solid Waste Authority officials Tuesday afternoon. Check back with CarolinaLive.com to hear what they had to say in response to residents' concerns.
Mike Bessant with Horry County Solid Waste Authority says neither the landfill nor the expansion will harm the local community.
"No one wants a landfill near their home." admits Bessant. "But we need them to have a civilized lifestyle."
Most landfills according to Bessant are created near swamps because the clay associated with swamps is ideal for landfills.
"We have a third party not associated with us or DHEC to test the water at three places in the Waccamaw River. They have yet to find any contamination to the waters because of run off from this landfill."
Vance Moore with Garrett and Moore Water Quality confirms that water quality has been tested from upstream and downstream of the landfill.
"We tests those waters twice a year. It's conclusive that the waters have yet to show any contamination from the landfill." says Moore.
Horry County residents have 15 days to appeal the expansion but must find mistakes in DHEC's examination of the landfill to be successful.
