Buckeye reclamation landfill

Ohio, United States
Bulldozer in a landfill

At a glance

GHD took on the responsibility for implementing a United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) approved remedy and providing long-term operation, maintenance, and monitoring (OM&M) for the Buckeye Reclamation Landfill in Ohio.

GHD took on the responsibility for implementing a United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) approved remedy and providing long-term operation, maintenance, and monitoring (OM&M) for the Buckeye Reclamation Landfill in Ohio.

The challenge

A Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) Group was able to divest Remedial Action liability to GHD for defined and undefined scope and timing for 30 years with a single, upfront payment.

GHD worked with an insurer to provide specialized financial assurance for the environmental liability scope, schedule, and cost estimate developed for the liability transfer.

The project is unique in that the USEPA accepted changes to the Consent Decree to allow the use of the environmental insurance policy for financial assurance. This innovative concept was also evaluated for use at other sites.

The Buckeye Reclamation Landfill, licensed in 1971, was a 100-acre mixed municipal and industrial waste landfill located on and adjacent to pre-1950s deep underground coal mines. The Record of Decision providing the remedy for the Superfund site was issued in 1991, and a Consent Decree was lodged in 1998.

The PRP Group completed Phase I of the remedy in 2003. The scope of the Phase II remedial program was deferred until sufficient post-Phase I remedy completion monitoring data were obtained. In 2004, the PRP Group transferred the Consent Decree responsibilities to GHD.

Our response

GHD's work included Phase II remedy design and construction, as well as final development and implementation of 30 years of Phase I and II remedy OM&M programs, including inspections, maintenance, and repairs; groundwater, surface water, and landfill gas monitoring programs; and reporting and representation.

GHD's work included Phase II remedy design and construction, as well as final development and implementation of 30 years of Phase I and II remedy OM&M programs, including inspections, maintenance, and repairs; groundwater, surface water, and landfill gas monitoring programs; and reporting and representation.

The impact

GHD was able to save approximately US$2 million by negotiating a Phase II remedy scope reduction. GHD also immediately addressed significant erosion issues at the site from tropical storm damage.