Press Release - Tuesday, January 11, 2005
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As part of Gov. Blagojevich's crackdown on illegal dumps, Illinois EPA seals Lincoln Ltd. Landfill in Ford Heights
CHICAGO --- Acting on a directive from Governor Rod Blagojevich, IEPA Director Renee Cipriano Monday issued a seal order to shut down all operations at Lincoln Ltd. Landfill in south suburban Ford Heights. The seal is the second action in the Administration's aggressive new crackdown on illegal dumping.
"Lincoln Ltd. has had more than 2 years to clean up this mess," said Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano. "We are not going to stand by and let them continue polluting the environment and dumping on this community."
IEPA first cited Lincoln Ltd. for violation of state waste disposal laws in October of 2002. The landfill, located at the northwest corner of Torrence Avenue and Route 30, does not have the required state permit to accept general construction waste and has piled debris far above grade - another violation of state law. The landfill now stands an estimated 73 feet high and contains at least 4.8 million cubic yards of waste.
Lincoln Ltd.'s refusal to comply with IEPA's demands, caused the agency to refer the case to the Attorney General's Office in November 2003. Despite ongoing legal action, the company continued accepting waste illegally until 4:35 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 10, when an IEPA inspector, accompanied by State Police, sealed the sight until further notice
"Despite the State's best efforts, the operators blatantly ignored us and are laughing their way to the bank," Director Cipriano continued. "I am grateful to Governor Blagojevich for allowing me to exercise the most powerful tool in my arsenal to shut down illegal dumps and protect nearby residents."
On January 6, Director Cipriano sealed the Land Reclamation Service (LSR) Ind. Landfill in Joliet after inspectors found the site was accepting and storing general construction waste without the necessary permit, and discharging into Sugar Run Creek without a state permit.
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