Notice of Public Hearing - Modification to Local Solid Waste Management Plan

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING MODIFICATION TO LOCAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN OF HARRISON COUNTY UTILITY AUTHORITY

The Harrison County Utility Authority (the “Authority”) has expressed its intention to modify its existing local solid waste management plan as described herein. The Harrison County Solid Waste Management Plan, as amended, was adopted pursuant to the Nonhazardous Solid Waste Planning Act of 1991, Mississippi Code Annotated Section 17-17-201 to 235, and approved by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ).

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO THE PLAN

The proposed modification will allow a currently permitted 100-acre Class I Rubbish site to be reclassified as a Municipal Solid Waste Facility (“MSW Facility”). Additionally, the proposed modification will allow the expansion of said reclassified MSW Facility by 28 acres, creating a 128-acre MSW Facility. The 128-acre MSW Facility will abut a currently permitted 176-acre MSW Facility, creating a single contiguous 304-acre MSW Facility. The MSW Facility will be located at the Pecan Grove Sanitary Landfill (“Pecan Grove”) and will exist within the current fence line of Pecan Grove. The modification will not require increased acreage to the 1,188-acre Pecan Grove property. There will continue to be substantial property line setbacks, buffers, and screening on all sides of Pecan Grove as well as ample land for site design features like stormwater management ponds, access roads, environmental monitoring, and soil borrow areas. Pecan Grove is generally located at 9685 Firetower Road, Pass Christian, MS 39571, in Sections 21, 22, and 23, Township 7 South, Range 13 West of Harrison County. The proposed modification has been requested by the District Manager of Pecan Grove, Mr. Sam Williams, 9685 Firetower Road, Pass Christian, MS 39571: telephone (866-909-4458).

Pecan Grove has received all requisite approvals from the Harrison County Planning Commission and the Harrison County Board of Supervisors. MDEQ has been notified of the proposed modification. The purpose of the proposed modification is to create a more efficient, contiguous MSW Facility to service the needs of Harrison County and the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the next 20 years. Additionally, the proposed modification is critical to ensuring long-term job security for Pecan Grove’s employees and numerous vendors, contractors, and suppliers that provide service to Pecan Grove. The proposed modification is critical to ensuring long-term waste disposal capacity for Harrison County’s residents and businesses. Without modification, waste transportation costs will be substantial and burdensome.

The documents relating to the modification are available for inspection and review during normal business hours in the offices of the Harrison County Utility Authority, Mr. John Wilson, Executive Director, located at 10271 Express Drive, Gulfport MS, 39503: telephone 228-868-8752.

PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing concerning the proposed modification to the Harrison County Solid Waste Management Plan will be held at 9:00 A.M. local time on January 16, 2025, in the Board Room of the Harrison County Utility Authority.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comment on the proposed modification. Each person attending the public hearing will be asked to register.  Anyone wishing to comment will be allowed to make a statement. All comments made during the public hearing will be made a part of the file on this matter. Comments not offered at the hearing must be presented in writing during a 30-day comment period, beginning December 15, 2024, and ending January 15, 2025. Written comments and/or requests for additional information concerning the proposed modification should be addressed to Mr. John Wilson, Executive Director, Harrison County Utility Authority; 10271 Express Drive, Gulfport, MS 39503.

The Authority may modify the proposed modification based upon public comments received. If the Authority approves the proposed modification, the Authority will submit it to MDEQ for review.  If the Authority approves the modification, it will become part of the existing local solid waste plan.