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Putrescibles gonna putrescible

Wednesday, June 29, 2016 by Caleb Pritchard

The Travis County Commissioners Court is talking trash to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. On Tuesday, the court voted 3-1 to voice to the TCEQ its opposition to a permit modification for a local landfill that increases the rate of garbage it can receive. Commissioner Gerald Daugherty voted in opposition while Commissioner Margaret Gomez was off the dais. According to the resolution, the Austin Community Landfill along the Manor Expressway has seen a spike in business since the neighboring Sunset Farms Landfill recently closed. To handle that increase, the TCEQ is considering raising ACL’s annual intake to 1.5 million tons, “a more than 50% increase over historical levels of waste acceptance at the combined landfills,” according to the resolution. In explaining her opposition to the modification, County Judge Sarah Eckhardt noted that the area around the two dumps “has become a vibrant residential corridor with some very vibrant businesses.” County staff stressed that the modification would only increase the pace at which garbage comes into the landfill but would not expand its total planned capacity. Daugherty explained that his opposition to the measure was based on the fact that he first received a copy of the resolution late Monday afternoon and thus did not feel comfortable making a rushed decision. However, he said he understood the unpleasant nature of landfills near residences and businesses. “Putrescibles are putrescibles. I mean, I get it,” said Daugherty.

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