CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – The company that owns a landfill in Bethlehem is paying $100,000 in penalties to settle state hazardous waste allegations.
The state began investigating North Country Environmental Services for allegedly accepting prohibited waste at its Bethlehem landfill after the former owner of Whitefield’s Mountain View Grand Hotel pleaded guilty to illegally removing and disposing of asbestos while renovating the hotel.
The state accused the company of not taking enough precautions to prevent prohibited waste from being dumped at its landfill. The company disputed the allegations and both sides agreed to the settlement to prevent a long court case, it said.
The settlement requires North Country Environmental to pay $50,000 to the state and $50,000 to the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation, which conducts environmental education projects in northern New Hampshire. The company also must cap the Troy Mills solid waste landfill in Troy and hire a consultant to assess and to make recommendations on waste inspection and control procedures at the landfill.
The company said the agreement was not based on any evidence that asbestos had been delivered to the landfill. Rather, it said, the settlement was based on the state’s contention that company procedures for inspecting incoming solid waste did not comply with its state-approved operating plan.
Company president James Bohlig said the Troy landfill project has been a long-time priority for the state, but it has not been performed because the property owner, Troy Mills, is in bankruptcy.
Bohlig said he was satisfied with the agreement and that company has made changes to its landfill practices.
“We have already taken a close look at our inspection procedures and upgraded them,” he said. He said the company agreed to the settlement because it will be financing projects that will improve the environment.
AP-ES-11-29-07 1601EST
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