ELIMINATE REQUIREMENT FOR SECONDARY LINER AND LEACHATE COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR RDDP

House Bill 4875

Sponsor:  Rep. Andrea LaFontaine

Committee:  Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation

Complete to 9-16-11

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4875 AS INTRODUCED 7-27-11

The bill would amend Part 115 (Solid Waste Management) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) to eliminate the provision that requires landfill research, development and demonstration projects (RDDP) to have a secondary liner and leachate collection system.

NREPA defines RDDP to mean a research, development, and demonstration project for a new or existing type II landfill unit, or for a lateral expansion of such a unit. (A type II landfill unit accepts municipal solid waste.)   A person may submit to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) a project abstract for a RDDP.  If the DEQ director determines the RDDP will provide beneficial data on alternative landfill design, construction, or operating methods, the person may apply for a construction permit authorizing the establishment of the RDDP.

Under the act, a RDDP is required to include a secondary liner and leachate collection system to monitor the effectiveness of the primary liner.  House Bill 4875 would delete this requirement.

[House Bill 4875 is identical to Senate Bill 473, which was passed by the Senate on September 15, 2011.]

MCL 324.11511 and 11511b

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4875 would have no fiscal impact on the State of Michigan or local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Jeff Stoutenburg

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Viola Bay Wild

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.