NCD980602163_19820923_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_Statement by Governor Hunt-OCR

STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR JIM HUNT Thursday, September 23, 1982
News Conference
There has been a great deal of controversy over the PCB landfill
in Warren County, and I think everyone should keep some important
facts in mind.
The dumping occurred more than four years ago. Since then,
the state and the federal government have explored every alternative
for disposing of this material. The Environmental Protection Agency
has ruled out in-place treatment. This is the only alternative available
to the state.
We have looked at about 100 possible locations for a disposal
site. The site in Warren County is the only one that met all the
safety requirements and that could be obtained by the state. The
federal courts have thoroughly reviewed this matter.
All of us can understand the apprehensions people feel when
any landfill is placed in their community. But we can assure the
residents of Warren County that this landfill will be safe and will
present no danger to them or to their families, now or in the future,
and that no other material will be stored there in the future.
Obviously, this is an emotional iss~e. Our society is having
to learn to deal with hazardous waste issues, and it is tough.
It is unfortunate that we have had to station more than 70
Highway Patrolmen in Warren County / handle these protests. All of
us would prefer to have those pat olmen on our state's roads and highways.
But the responsibility of th8 State of North Carolina is to do
what is right and what protects t e i1eal th of our people --those who
live in Warren County as well as
where the material was dumped.
live in the 13 other counties
The state will meet that resj onsibility.
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