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Editorials
Hold public hearing on Avaya permit : Editorials : Oswego Ledger-Sentinel : Hometown Newspaper for Oswego and Montgomery, IllinoisHold public hearing on Avaya permit
| 3/1/2012
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It's been nearly 16 years since the old AT&T/Western Electric plant in Montgomery was demolished. The plant, which once employed thousands of area residents, was situated on a 44 acre parcel located along the west bank of the Fox River at the south end of Main Street, just south of the U.S. Route 30 bridge.
While the massive plant was torn down, metals-contaminated soils and sludges that were also on the site were stabilized in accordance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) regulations. The soils and sludges were then placed in an on site containment unit called a "CAMU"-short for Corrective Action Management Unit. To prevent the stabilized soils and sludges from seeping into the river and groundwater, the CAMU was placed under a layer of asphalt.
Now, Avaya, Inc., property owners is seeking to renew the IEPA permit it holds for the property. If renewed, Avaya would be required to continue to inspect and maintain the asphalt cover over the CAMU and monitor groundwater on the site over the next 10 years.
Between now and March 26, any interested resident can request a copy of Avaya's permit renewal application from the IEPA. The IEPA has also indicated they will hold a public hearing on the application in response to public requests or at their own discretion.
We believe it would be beneficial for the IEPA to schedule a public hearing. During the hearing, Avaya officials could present an update on the current conditions at the site and explain to the public what is being done to prevent contaminants from seeping into the river and groundwater. Given the property's location along the river and its close proximity to hundreds of homes in the village and the unincorporated Boulder Hill Subdivision, we see no downside to holding a public hearing. We'll even suggest a location for the hearing: Montgomery Village Hall, located just seven blocks from the Avaya property.
Anyone seeking further information or who would like to request a public hearing can contact Mara McGinnis, Public Involvement Coordinator with the IEPA, at 1021 North Grand Avenue East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL 62794-9276. The phone number is 217-524-3288.
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