Environmental Protection Agency officials toured the Susannaberg garbage transfer station Wednesday to better assess the problems at the station, in an effort to bring it back into compliance with EPA regulations.
Jim Casey, V.I. coordinator for the EPA, said he inspected the facility along with Philip Flax, senior enforcement team leader, and Senior Enforcement Specialist Leonard Grossman. The Department of Public Works, which operates Susannaberg and the Bovoni and Anguilla landfills, has been ordered by EPA to meet compliance standards at all three facilities.
"We want to monitor the existing situation," Casey said, "but it's just as important to learn, one-on-one and in detailed fashion, what are the hindrances that keep DPW from coming into compliance. Then we'll be able to make some tangible and definite suggestions and bring back to regional management what we think might be realistic modifications and how we can offer further assistance."
Casey said the "major problem" at Susannaberg is that waste management isn't properly supervised and that the transfer station is supposed to be separating different categories of solid waste but is failing to do so. Garbage from the station is shipped to the Bovoni landfill on St. Thomas.
The group was accompanied by Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole, who later said in a statement that the EPA officials "seemed confident that with a few minor changes, the V.I. could come into EPA compliance." Casey disagreed.
"There exists some major problems," he said. "These are not a few minor changes we're talking about."
Casey did agree that one thing that could be corrected is the lack of qualified personnel "to manage and make knowledgeable decisions."
The EPA is expected to tour the Anguilla landfill on St. Croix today.
