In order to let many different communities follow this issue, a separate site has been constructed at http://www.concernedneighbor.org. Please check in there.  To join the cross-neighborhood email list, go to email groups http://www.westmorelandweb.com/private/egroups.cfm and join the Dalecarlia Residuals List.

Dalecarlia Resevoir Considering Landfill

Posted: 6/20/04

Dear Neighbor:

            We face a major issue with the disposal of waste from the Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant which is next to our neighborhood.  EPA regulations will no longer allow the current practice of piping residual sediments from the Dalecarlia Plant into the Potomac River.  The revised proposal is to either: 1) create a 30 acre monofill (meaning landfill) in the woods between Sibley Hospital, Dalecarlia Parkway, and Westwood Drive; 2) create a new pipeline; or 3) haul the residuals out with trucks. 

My guess is that no one wants a 30 acre clear-cut landfill in our backyard.  We need a coordinated effort to get involved and fight this landfill.  I would like neighbors to volunteer to help.

The process for evaluating alternatives included a 30-day public comment period in January and February.  The Westmoreland Citizens Association first heard about this project last week and therefore did not participate in the comment period.  The project managers claim they sent letters to the public, but no one in our neighborhood has mentioned receiving a letter.  The project manager has apologized for not getting letters to us and said he is interested in hearing public comment.  If you did receive a letter about this project, please e-mail it to me or drop off a copy at 5407 Duvall Drive.

Please e-mail me if you are interested in getting involved in the Westmoreland Citizens Association’s efforts to respond to these proposals.  We need to understand the impact these proposals will have on pollution, noise, and traffic and to craft a coordinated response to the project managers at the Army Corps of Engineers.  I would particularly like help from neighbors who have expertise in environmental issues and neighbors with experience lobbying government agencies.  I will hold a meeting the first week of July to discuss our approach. 

Here is additional information on the proposals:

Figure 2-3 on page 3 of this document shows the proposed location of the monofill (30 acres 50 – 80 feet high):

http://washingtonaqueduct.nab.usace.army.mil/Residuals/Section2_Figures.pdf

This document provides an overview of the overall project:

http://washingtonaqueduct.nab.usace.army.mil/Residuals/DOPAA_Presentation.pdf

This document gives detailed information of the 26 options considered:

http://washingtonaqueduct.nab.usace.army.mil/Residuals/DOPAA_Final.pdf

I will keep you informed of any developments as they occur.  If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please e-mail them to me at debra_graham@comcast.net.

Debra Graham

Co-President

Westmoreland Citizens Association