HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCD980602163_19980715_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_PBC Landfill Rally and Legislative Visits-OCR.DETOXIFY THE WARREN CTY. , " PCB LANDFILL NOW! ,~iro v,n.~,i IWIIJ~SlE ~ ~ I cll/lMJPS 1'1)6L\C -,.,J ltf I ~ pJtflC.IP~•,... SUPPORT SB 1412
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• WHY DO WE THINK WE CAN DETOXIFY? Over the past four years, a state-approved Working Group oflocal citizens, state officials and environmentalists have studied the PCB landfill and various detoxification methods. We hired independent science advisors to help determine the current condition of the landfill and how to best make it safe. The scientists and the state have determined that the PCB landfill is not acceptable as it is. There is a lot of water trapped inside and there is evidence that small amounts of toxic chemicals may have escaped into the water and air. If not cleaned up, it would almost certainly get worse overtime. • WHAT IS DETOXIFICATION? It is the only permanent solution. It means destroying the PCBs and making the soil clean again--removing the threat from Warren County for good. The method chosen is BCD (base catalyzed dechlorination) and it will be safe and effective according to the science advisors, the state, and the federal EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The Working Group considered all avalible means and BCD proved to be the best. • WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? Detoxification will remove the future threat of a release of toxic chemicals into the environment. In addition, it will bring shprt and long term economic benefits to Warren County. An economic impact of $3 million-$5 million is anticipated during the two year life of the construction project, and approximately 25 individuals will be hired and trained in environmental cleanup construction. Finally, North Carolina taxpayers will finally be able to stop pouring money into a landfill that is not going away. • WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? ' Call or write the Legislature. Tell them you support their promise to fund detoxification of the PCB landfill in Warren County: ~ 1-919-733-7928 116 W. Jones St. . , Raleigh, NC 27603. ·~ ··-.~ti,,·: Call the Working Group for other ways to help or find out more: ~ 919-257-1948; 720 Ridgeway St., M,l Warrenton, NC 2758?. -BRING JUSTICE TO WARREN COUNTY: WE CAN LIFT THIS TOXIC BURDEN NOW! • ">'. \.., Printed on recycled paper . NORTH CAROLINA'S THREATENING PCB LANDFILL: NOWWECAN LIFT THIS BURDEN FOR GOOD! • WHAT ARE WE ASKING FOR? We want Governor Hunt and the Legislature to fulfill their promises to detoxify the PCB landfill in Warren County. It is now possible to remove the threat of toxic chemicals, so we want the state to commit the money needed to protect this community once and for all. The Governor has requested $15 million in his proposed budget-now we need the Legislature to vote it in. • WILL THE STATE REALLY DETOXIFY THE LANDFILL? We think there is a very good chance, but much will depend on the people of Warren County and concerned citizens ofNorth Carolina. We need to make sure that politicians know how important this is. Cleanup will be very expensive, and we need your support to work together and convince the state legislatures that Warren County is worth spending the money on to detoxify the PCB landfill.
An Open Letter to the Citizens of Warren County: In the summer of 1978, PCB-contaminated oil was illegally dumped on the shoulder of210 miles ofNorth Carolina roads in 14 counties. Ward Transformer Company was later charged and convicted of illegal dumping. The state was left with the dilemma of removing the chemicals and finding a new storage place .. That winter, the state proposed to site the landfill in Warren County. Since Warren County officials did not think their environment was the most ecologically sound choice, they began to question why their community was chosen, Being a predominately poor and black population, Warren County took the state to court on two different occasions in order to protest the decision. Finding no clear evidence, the federal courts rejected the suits. Therefore, in 1982, the state began trucking the contaminated soil to the site in Warren County. Residents and civil rights leaders attempted to stop the trucks with six weeks of peaceful civil disobedience. Warren County became a national news story, and 523 arrests resulted. In response to the strong vocal protests in Warren County and nationally, the Honorable Governor Jim Hunt wrote an open letter to the community stating "that Warren County was chosen for the site solely on the basis of technical reasons" and promised to detoxify the site "when and if the appropriate and feasible technology is developed." The following year, the General Assembly also · committed the state to detoxify the landfill "as soon as the technology for doing so is available." Ten years later, state officials announced that up to 1.5 million gallons of water were trapped in the landfill. They agreed to meet with citizens of Warren County to decide what would be the best means to detoxify the site. As a result, the Joint Warren County/State PCB Working Group was formed with members representing local citizens, the state, and two statewide environmental organizations. And now, it is finally possible for Warren County's toxic burden to be lifted! For the past four years, the Working Group has studied the landfill and various detoxification methods to determine the safest and most effective way for the state to deliv~r on its promises. The Working Group hired independent science advisors to characterize the site, assess the integrity of the landfill, and determine technical feasibility. As a result of their analysis, the scientists have concluded that it is not only technologically feasible to detoxify the site, but it is also necessary due to the conditions of the landfill. Based upon this scientific expertise, it is clear that now is the time for the Governor and the General Assembly to fulfill their promises and fund detoxification. The Governor has placed Warren County in his proposed budget--now we need the Legislature to vote for the funds when they pass the state budget this summer. We hope that you will support our conclusion and work with us to lift this toxic burden now. Help us keep North Carolina clean and green and bringjustice to Warren County! Sincerely, The Joint Warren County/State PCB Working Group ~~-~ ~~~~ Henry Lancaster, co-chair
Benefits of the Joint Warren County/State PCB Landfill Working
Group Detoxification Treatment Proposal
■ The commitment is to detoxification treatment, which can be achieved through Base
Catalyzed Decomposition (BCD). BCD is a treatment technology that involves heating
the contaminated soil to a temperature of less that l000°F and combining it with sodium
bicarbonate (household baking soda) to break down the PCBs into harmless materials.
The US EPA developed this treatment technology with federal dollars. The North
Carolina General Assembly appropriated $1 million to assess the PCB Landfill and
identify the detoxification treatment technology --BCD was chosen.
■ The commitment is to a solution that poses the least health risk to the community. BCD
presents less risk to public health. It can be done on-site and does not involve
transportation to another location. BCD presents no unsafe air emissions.
■ This $24 million proposal represents a conservatively structured budget under a worse-
case scenario to achieve complete and permanent detoxification treatment. It eliminates
future liability for the State of North Carolina.
■ This entire process is based upon community acceptance. The technology selection ·
process was conducted with the full participation of Warren County citizens.
■ 1982 -Governor Hunt's commitment, in a letter to the citizens of Warren County,
to detoxification treatment
■ 1983 -North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill supporting detoxification
treatment
■ 1993 -Former DENR Secretary Jonathan Howes wrote a letter supporting
detoxification treatment on-site
■ 1996 -North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $1 million to identify
detoxification treatment technology for the PCB Landfill
■ 1998 -Governor Hunt included $15 million in his 1998-99 budget for the BCD
treatment technology for the PCB Landfill
■ 1998 -Senator Frank Ballance introduced a bill appropriating $24 million for
detoxification of the PCB Landfill using the BCD treatment technology.
Warren County PCB Landfill Lobby Day
Agenda
10:00 -11:30
11:30 -12:30
12:30-2:00
Legislative Advocacy -Meet with Legislators
(meet at water fountain on Mall side of Legislative Bldg.)
Rally (front of Legislative Bldg. -Jones Street side)
Welcome: Dolly Burwell, Warren Co./State PCB
Working Group Co-Chair
Prayer: Reverend David Foy
Speakers:
Senator Frank W. Ballance, District 2 -Warren Co.
Representative Stan H. Fox, District 78-Granville Co.
Patrick Barnes, PCB Landfill Science Advisor
Joel Hirscborn, PCB Landfill Science Advisor
Cathy Lawrence, Executive Director,
Warren Family Institute
Laura Williams, Warren County Manager will present
Resolution Supporting Detoxification of Warren
County PCB Landfill from Warren County
Board of Commissioners with remarks
Additional comments from participants and residents
of Warren County
Introduction of officials, legislators and special guests
Final Remarks: Dolly Burwell
Resume Legislative Advocacy -Meet with Legislators
To: Members of the North Carolina General Assembly
From: Warren County Citizens
In 1993, the state announced that a million or more gallons of water was
trapped in the state's PCB landfill in Warren County threating to breach the
liner. In 1995 the North Carolina General Assembly allocated one million
dollars to determine if detoxification of the PCB landfill were feasible and to
determine the condition of the landfill. Joint state and independent studies
found that detoxifiction is not only technically feasible but is the only safe,
effective, and permanent solution to the state's PCB dilemma.
The joint site investigation revealed that there are numerous serious
problems with the PCB landfill, making it clear that the landfill poses a
threat to the environment, health, and natural resources of Warren County.
Without detoxification, the failed PCB landfill will continue to pose a threat to
the welfare of Warren County, will cost North Carolina taxpayers
more and more in state resources, and costly litigation will be inevitable.
/
Warren County PCB Landfill
1
Top Liner Found Slgnlflcantly
Deteriorated
PCB Air Emls·slons
Approx. 26,000 Gallons or Water
Leaking From Landfill Per Year Approx. 30,000 Gallons or Water
Entering Landfill Per Year
,/ \
Dioxin In Groundwater
Necessary Perforated Pipe
Leachate Collection System
Never Installed
PCB WORKH,iG GRUUP Fax :252-257-lUUU Jun 1U ''::J8 11: L'l:5 P.U4
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WA~EN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
LORIA 0. WILLIAMS. COUNTY MANAGER
P.O. BOX 6t9
WARRENTON. NORTH CAROLINA 27589
RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING DETOXIFICAT!ON OF THE ST ATE-OWNED
WARREN COUNTY PCB LANDflLL
WHEREAS, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., in 1982 pledged to the citizens of
Warren County to detoxify the PCB landfill when technically feasibte. and
WHEREAS, for the past four (4} years, the Joint Warren County/State PCB
Landfill Workrng Group, comprised of citizens, environmental group representatives and state
officials has worked together to determine the current condition of the landfill, as well as the
ava~able technology to cleanup and detoxify the PCB-contaminated soils; and
WHEREAS , Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., meeting his obligation to the
citizens of Warren County did include $15 million dollars in his proposed budget to the
General Assembly to detoxify the state-owned Warren County PCB Landfill; and
WHEREAS , the Joint PCB Working Group, in conjunction with environmental
scientists have determined the cost of detoxification and cleanup to be approximately $24
million dolfars; an amount far greater than that submitted to the General Assembly.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Warren County Board of
Commissioners support Governor Hunt's proposed allocation of $15 million dollars, and
hereby request an additional $9 million appropriation, which equates to the full amount
needed to facilitate total detoxification of the state-owned Warren County PCB Landfill.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this Resofution be forwarded to Warren
County's Legislattve Representatives _and Congressionat Delegation .
Adopted this 1st day of June, 1998.
Ab~k/.foµ
• Geraldine Green
Acting Clerk to the Board
James D. Hollo y, Sr., Chairman
Warren County Board of Commissioners
STATUS OF PCB LANDFILL DETOXIFICATION
WARREN COUNTY, NC
May 26, 1998
BACKGROUND:
In the late l 970's several thousand gallons of polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs) were
illegally disposed by spraying along approximately 210 miles of state roadways. PCBs were
used extensively as transformer fluids in the early 1970's. However, because they were
suspected carcinogens, they were outlawed from manufacture in 1976 and strictly controlled in
disposal as transformers came out of service.
Listed as a Superfund site under the US EPA program, the roadways were dug up and the
contaminated soils disposed in an approved PCB landfill located in Warren County. There was
much opposition to the landfill and the Environmental Justice movement supposedly started at
this site.
In 1982, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., made a commitment to the people of Warren
County that if appropriate and feasible technology became available, the state would explore
detoxification of the landfill. In 1995, $1 million was appropriated to study detoxification. The
General Assembly provided this money for the sole purpose of studying various detoxification
technologies, including bench scale work; confirming that detoxification is possible; and
identifying the best technology available to do the work.
The Warren County PCBWorking Group (WG) was established and consists oflocal
citizens, state employees and members of various environmental organizations. This group has
been working together in a joint partnership to explore detoxification.
CURRENT STATUS:
The WG, through the Division of Waste Management (DWM), contracted with two
independent science advisors to provide technical expertise to the WG and to help outline the
steps necessary to explore detoxification.
With staff from the DWM, the WG and science advisors outlined activities that needed
to take place during the detoxification studies. These activities included an extensive site
investigation, monitoring wells installation, boring into the landfill to extract soils for testing,
and the actual detoxification studies.
Mobilization/site work:
On February 12, 1997, DWM personnel and science advisors began work at the PCB
landfill to install additional monitoring wells and begin the site investigation. Fifteen new
monitoring wells were installed around the perimeter of the landfill and in the immediate area
within .25 miles of the landfill. Three were placed off site as background wells, approximately
1.5 miles away. Two bore holes were placed in the landfill from which soils were extracted and
containerized for the detoxification studies. Extraction wells were installed in the bore holes.
Two eight foot square areas were dug out in order to examine the top liner of the landfill
cap system. "Split spoon" samples were taken of the clay cap and the landfill contents. These
samples were analyzed for a variety of things including moisture, compaction, permeability and
PCB content. The clay cap is covered by a 10 mil plastic liner. Sections of this liner were cut
out and sent to a testing laboratory for examination. The cut out portions were replaced and the
holes refilled.
Samplin~:
Extensive sampling was done in the monitoring wells and streams around the landfill.
Soil and sediment samples from selected locations around the area were taken. These samples
were analyzed for a variety of chemicals including PCBs, dioxin, heavy metals, pesticides and
volatile organic chemicals.
Detoxification studies:
Beginning in 1996, the science advisors for the Working Group, along with DWM staff,
conducted a detailed technology screening, evaluation, assessment and comparative analysis on
potentially feasible technologies. Potential feasibility had to have been demonstrated through
prior successful full scale use of a technology for PCB detoxification work. Any technology that
existed only as a research or developmental technology was deemed inappropriate.
Twelve different technologies were considered. All but two were screened out. Only
Base Catalyzed Decomposition (BCD) and Gas Phase Chemical Reduction technology were
found to be appropriate and potentially feasible for the Warren County landfill.
Two companies were subsequently picked to conduct bench scale demonstrations. ETG
Environmental, using BCD, and ECOLOGIC, using the Gas Phase Chemical Reduction
technology, were provided samples of the contaminated soils from the landfill, along with very
stringent guidelines and treatment goals for both PCBs and dioxin. Following their bench scale
studies, each company submitted phase I reports that were analyzed by the WG, state staff and
science advisors.
As a result of these phase I studies, the Working Group concluded that feasible and
effective detoxification technology is now available and selected BCD as the preferred
technology for detoxification of the PCB Landfill. ETG Environmental, Inc. (ETG) was
,
t subsequently awarded a contract to perform this Phase II preliminary design of a full-scale BCD
detoxification system to remediate the PCB Landfill (ETG performed the successful Phase I
bench scale BCD study). The primary purpose of this report is to develop sufficient conceptual
design information to allow for preparation of a cost estimate to form the basis to request funding
from the State legislature for final design and detoxification of the PCB Landfill utilizing the
BCD process.
The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical reactions to detoxify the PCBs and
dioxins/furans in the contaminated materials. Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the
PCB and dioxin/furan molecules, and replaced with hydrogen, rendering them non-hazardous.
The resulting non-hazardous oil can be recycled off-site. Detoxified soils will be replaced on-
site, covered and revegetated. The process has been proven at several full-scale project
applications.
The preliminary conceptual design of the full scale detoxification project is divided into
two components. The first component provides written conceptual designs for site preparation,
excavation, treatment, confirmation/verification sampling, storm water management, security, site
reclamation, decontamination, and demobilization. These aspects of the project have been
conceptually designed to provide the basis for a detailed cost estimate for detoxification.
The second component presents those aspects of the project which will be completed
during the final design portion of the Phase III Design/Build detoxification. Outlines have been
provided to introduce these final design items, as follows: emergency response plan, permitting
plan, performance demonstration plan, air monitoring plan, quality assurance plan, health and
safety plan, construction quality assurance plan, and technical specifications.
To assist in the overall project oversight, a Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) would be
established as a committee to the Working Group and would include an independent science
advisor(s). The Design/Build detoxification contractor would include Program Management,
working in conjunction with the state, to ensure that the local community has a strong role in the
detoxification project's implementation. The Design/Build detoxification contractor would also
include a coordinator to ensure maximum economic benefit to local/minority businesses and the
local economy. Direct local economic impact is estimated in the range of $3 million to $5
million, which includes the hiring of local individuals and utilization of local businesses for
supplies, materials, and services to support the detoxification project. A detailed cost estimate
has been prepared to perform the detoxification project utilizing the BCD process. A cost of
$23,975,000 is presented, which includes a $2,079,000 contingency.
Once funding is obtained, we would send out requests for a statement of interest from
various vendors who have the ability to use BCD technology on a full scale operation. We
would also be preparing a RFP for the final design report on the detoxification effort. A RFP
would be sent out and a vendor selected for the detoxification through competative bids.
Contact: Michael Kelly, Deputy Director, Division of Waste Management, 733-4996, Ext 203
---
PCB LANDFILL DETOXIFICATION COSTS
USING BCD TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS
April 9, 1998
Estimated costs Phase Sub-totals
Final design, including permit preparation $539,000.00
and plan submittal
Working Group, PCB office in Warren $200,000.00
County, CAB, Science Advisor(s)
Supplemental site investigation $100,000.00
Mobiliz.ation $435,800.00
Site preparation/set up $2,614,400.00
INITIAL PHASE, SUBTOTAL: $3,889,200.00
Demonstration test $487,300.00
Excavation $798, I 00.00
SoiVwater treatment $13,457,600.00
Analytical (performance testing, $1,167,000.00
soil, water, air monitoring)
TREATMENT PHASE, SUBTOTAL $15,910,000.00
Backfill $930,000.00
Reclamation $74,000.00
Decon, dismantle, demob $1,092,800.00
RESTORATION/ DEMOB PHASE $2,096,800.00
SUBTOTAL
ESTIMATED COSTS S21,796,000.00
CONTINGENCY: $2,079,000.00
TOT AL ESTIMATED COSTS $23,975,000.00
l
t
_/
' i
Phase II -PRELIMINARY DESIGN REPORT
PCB LANDFILL DETOXIFICATION
Warren County, North Carolina
Prepared for
THE JOINT WARREN COUNTY/STATE PCB LANDFILL
WORKING GROUP AND
THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
ICF KAISER ENGINEERS, INC.
Gateway View Plaza
1600 W. Canon Street
Pittsbu"lh, Pennsylvania 15219
March,1998
Prepared by
In Association with:
BFA Environmental, Inc.
3655 Maplre Blvd. Suite ISO
Orlando, FL 32803
..
ETG ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
16 Ha1erty Boulevard
West Cltester, Penuytvania 19382
Rincltbon & Aaociata, Inc.
2401 Bluerldee Ave. Suite 411
Wheaton, MD 20901
Preliminary Design Report -BCD Detoxification Warren Cowity Landfill
EXCUTJVESUMMARY
The State of North Carolina owns and maintains a closed landfill containing
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxin/furan COJ'ltarninated materials in Warren
County, NC. The materials in the landfill were generated from cleanup of areas along
state roads where PCB materials were illegally disposed. Due to considerable local
opposition to the construction of the landfill, the residents of Warren County were
assured by the Governor and the state legislature in the early 1980s that the landfill would
be eliminated through detoxification when feasible and effective detoxification
technology became available.
In 1995 the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated one million dollars to
study detoxification feasibility and to investigate the site. After an extensive review of
potential detoxification technologies, the Joint Warren County/State PCB Landfill
Working Group (Working Group) selected Base Catalyzed Decomposition (BCD) and
Gas Phase Chemical Reduction as the technologies for consideration for detoxification of
the PCB Landfill. Actual landfill materials were tested in a Phase I bench scale study
utilizing each of these two technologies.
As a result of these Phase I studies, the Working Group concluded that feasible
and effective detoxification technology is now available and selected BCD as the
preferred technology for detoxification of the PCB Landfill. ETG Environmental, Inc.
(ETG) was subsequently awarded a contract to perform this Phase II preliminary design
of a full-scale BCD detoxification system to remediate the PCB Landfill (ETG perfonned
the successful Phase I bench scale BCD study). The primary purpose ofthis report is to -.
ETG Environmental, lnc.lICF Kaiser March 1998
Preliminary Design Report -BCD Detoxification Warren County Landfill
develop sufficient conceptual design information to allow for preparation of a cost
estimate to form the basis to request funding from the State legislature for final design
and detoxification of the PCB Landfill utilizing the BCD process.
The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical reactions to detoxify the
PCBs and dioxins/furans in the contaminated materials. Chlorine atoms are chemically
removed from the PCB and dioxin/furan molecules, and replaced with hydrogen,
rendering them non-hu.ardous. The resulting non-hu.ardous oil can be recycled off-site.
Detoxified soils will be replaced on-site, covered and revegetated. The process has been
proven at several full-scale project applications.
The preliminary conceptual design of the full scale detoxification project is
divided into two components. The first component provides written conceptual designs
for site preparation, excavation, treatment, confirmation/verification sampling,
stonnwater management, security, site reclamation, decontamination, and demobilization.
These aspects of the project have been conceptually designed to provide the basis for a
detailed cost estimate for detoxification. Drawings have been provided to supplement
these conceptual design items.
The second component presents those aspects of the project which will be
completed during the final design portion of the Phase Ill Design/Build detoxification.
Outlines have been provided to introduce these final design items, as follows: emergency
response plan, permitting plan, performance demonstration plan, air monitoring plan,
quality assurance plan, health and safety plan, construction quality assurance plan, and
technical specifications . ..
ETG Environmental, lnc./ICF Kaiser ii March 1998
Preliminary Design Report -BCD Detoxification Warren CoWlty Landfill
To assist in the overall project oversight, a Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) would
be established as a committee to the Working Group and would include an independent
science advisor (s). The Design/Build detoxification contractor would include Program
Management, working in conjunction with the state, to ensure that the local community
has a strong role in the detoxification project's implementation. The Design/Build
detoxification contractor would also include a coordinator to ensure maximum economic
benefit to local/minority businesses and the local economy. Direct local economic
impact is estimated in the range of $3-5 million, which includes the hiring of local
individuals and utiliz.ation of local businesses for supplies, material, and services to
support the detoxification project.
A detailed cost estimate has been prepared to perform the detoxification project
utilizing the BCD process. A cost of $23,975,000 is presented, which includes a
$2,079,000 contingency to account for the following assumptions, which could change as
the detoxification project progresses:
..
1. Quantity and characteristics of the material to be treated. 60,000 tons
of material at 10-12% moisture content and average concentration of
500 parts per million (ppm) for PCBs has been assumed.
2. Regulatory uncertainties associated with permit acquisition and final
design activities.
3. Modifications required to the detoxification project as a result of final
design changes that may result from the permit/final design process .
ETG Environmemal, lnc./lCF Kaiser iii March 1998
. ♦
Tips for Effective Lobbying
• . ij.f friendly. Smile. Remember the golden rule also applies to lobbying .
• Don't be· 1ate. . It is a sign of disrespect which the member will remember
when considering your viewpoint. You're also likely to find he or she has already
left for another meeting.
• Keep it short and simple. State what you want up front. Legislators are
busy people who have to deal with many issues -. don't oonfuse them, bore them
or make them guess what you want them to do.
• Always be courteous, even if you disagree. Being hostil~ will simply seal
their opposition against you ~ now and on and future issues.
• Be confident. Look your member in the eye and speak with authority.
Remember you will usually know more about the issue than your member.
• Never lie or make up information. A lobbyist's greatest strength is his or
her acdtoility. If you don't know the answer to a question, tell the member you
will try to find out and then provide the information promptly in a letter 01 phone
call.
• Be a good listener. It will help endear you to the member and provide you
with valuable infom;lation about the member's views and ooncerns.
• Press for a commitment. Ask the member directly if he or she will take
the particular stance or action you support.
• Say thank you. Always thank a member for any good stances he or she
has taken and for taking the time to meet with you. Everyone likes to get positive
feedback.
• Take notes. Immediately after the meeting, write down what you learned
about the member's position and ooncems, so you can use the information later.
• Remember that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Polite persistence
almost always pays off -when trying to get your member to meet with you or
support your position.
REMEMBER: THE POWER OF THE BALLOT BOX IS YOURS!
National WIidlife Federation May 1990
Thirteen Easy Steps to an Effective Visit with your Legislator
L Dress nicely. Don't let your appearance detract from your message or
impair your credibility.
-2. -;:· Introduce yourself and tell your member or staff person the organization
you represent, where the group is located and the size of its membership. ff you are
lobbying as an individual, make _sure to mention that you're a constituent. Also, if
you have any family, social, business or political ties to the legislator, mention them
.as well. _
:3, Start with a compliment. If possible, thank the member for a good stand he
or she recently took on issue and/or mention if you voted for the member. At a
minimum, thank -them for taking the time to meet with you.
4. Take the initiative by stating clearly and concisely what issue you want to
discuss, what your position is on it and what you want the member to do. Follow
this with facts about why he or she should take your position.
5. Stre!is how the issue will affect your member's district or state, and, if
possible, tell a per&nnal anecdote which highlights your experience with the issue and
why you care about it.
6. Give your member a short fact sheet (1-2 pages max) outlining your
position, explaining what the bill does (if there is one) and why they should support
your viewpoint.
· 7. Let your member know of the other organizations, important individuals,
government officials, and legislators which support your position. If you are a part of
large coalition, mention the number of members it has.
8. Be a good listener. After you make your pitch, allow the member to
respond. However, bring the member back to the issue at hand if he or she goes off
on a tangent or tries to evade it.
9. Answer the member's questions to the best of your ability, but if you don't
know the answer, admit it. Try to provide the information promptly in a follow-up
letter.
10. Press the member politely for a commitment, unless they are clearly
opposed to your position or committing themselves. Ask a direct question which
your member can respond "yes" to, such as "Can we count on you to ___ ?"
11. At the end of the meeting, always thank the member for his or her time,
even if they did not agree with your position.
12. Immediately after the meeting, write down any information you learned
about the member's position or concerns so you can share it with others and use it to
develop your legislative strategy.
13. Always follow up with a prompt thank you letter. In the letter, reiterate
your key points and any commitments the member made to you (if they did) and
include any follow up information you promised to provide.
National Wildlife Federation May 1990
LEGISLATIVE BUILDING
(Simplified Map)
To Legislative Office Building
1200's
1400's
Stairs to
Gallery
1300's
Information
Center
Jones SL Entrance
2200's
Library
HOUIC
Clamber 8
2300's
I
Dining Hall
I
PARKING
Snack Bar
Elevators/Stairs I
llOO's
1400's
lOOO's
2100's
Clamber
2000's
PARKING
PARKING ·
1
NORTH
First Floor
Offices are arranged around couns, i.e. Room 1027 is off
the 1000 Court. 1400 Offices are off the two center halls.
Second Floor
Basement/Underground Parking
LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING
(Simplified Map)
Floors 4, 5, and 6
NORTH
Third Floor Entrance
Offices and Meeting Rooms
Offices Offices
and and
Meeting Rooms Meeting Rooms
I Restrooms I
Offices and Meetin Rooms Elevators Stairs
Note: Main entrance to the Legislative Office Building is on the Third Floor as you enter
the building from the plaza area.
Senators Hoyle, Odom, and Rand occupy offices 300A, 300B, and 300C,
respectively. All other legislators whose offices are in the Legislative Office Building
are found on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors.
Snack bar is located on the first floor. It will be to your right as you exit the
elevators·.
Warren County PCB Landfill Lobby Day -July 15, 1998
Unassigned Legislators Who Need To Be Visited:
HOUSE SENATE
Bonner Wellons
Bowie Ballance
Earle Jordan
Easterling Lee
Gardner Lucas
Hall
Hunter, H.
Insko
Ives
Michaux
Mitchell
Sherrill
Warwick
Wilson
Wright
.. t ;_ ... ·' I · ,.. -:.
ST ATE OF NORTH CAROLI NA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
RALEIGH 27611
JA.,.U 8 . HUNT, Jf\.
OO'itllNOII October 20, 1982
An Open Letter to the Citi~ens of Warren County:
I appreciated the opportunity to meet with community
leaders ana members of the executive committee of the Concerned
citizens of warren County on Friday, October 8.
We had a full and frank discussion, lasting about
two hours. We did not agree on everything, obviously. But
it was A valuable meeting for me ~n~, I hope, for ~ll of
you.
I told your representatives that I understand and
respect your concerns about the PCB l~ndfill. Nobody w~nls
a landfill of any kind in their community. ~our representatives
expressed your concerns in stron9, clear terms. They did
not hold anything back, and I appreciated their frankness.
In turn, I was frank with them. I told th~rn that,
in my judgment, the State of North Carolina had no option
but to place the PCB-tainted material in a safe and &Qcure
landfill. The Environmental Protection Agency would not
Approve handling the rnateriAl in pl~ce Along the xoAd&ide.
I told your representatives that Warren County wtts
chosen for the site solely on the basis of technical reasons.
No other con~ideration whatsoever was involved.
I also said during tha meeting th~t the State of
North Carolina does not inten~ to simply walk AWAY from any
responsibility once the landfill is completed. I made
several commitments to that end, And I want to spell those
out for you:
l. At the request of your representatives, the
state will sponsor a public meeting in Warren County at
which our agency officiAls, engineers ana scientists will_,
· review the safety features at the landfill and respond to
your specific concerns an~ questions. The meetin9 will be
held At 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 27, in the NationAl
Guard Armory in W~rrenton.
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Warren county Citizens
Page Two
October 20, 1982
2. The state will push as hard as it cAn for
detoxifica~ion of the landfill when and if the appropriate
and feasible technology ia developed. We will seek to
establish a joint local-state-federal working qroup to
pursue this end. The StAte Board of Science and Technology,
which I chair, will have the specific responsibility for
pressing the Environmental Protection Agency to develop this
process and for monitoring rese&rch to determine when
detoxification is pos$ible,
3. The state will maintain continual monitoring of
the landfill. Thi& will incluOe the monitoring systems
included in the design of the landfill itself, monitoring ~f
the residential wells within A three-mile radius of the
landfill and checking ~treams ana creek& in the area.
4. The state will cooperate with your county health
department in providing environmental and health monitoring
for those persons who live, work or go to school near the
landfill. W~rren County Health Director Joe Lennon and
or. Ronald Levine, the state's health director, will be
responsible for developing a monitoring pro9rarn that will
guarantee that the health of the citizens in the area is
being protected.
5. My administration will support legislation
prohibiting any additional contaminated soil from ever being
placed in this landfill an~ prohibiting the ~tate from ever
placing another landfill in your county for any purpose, I .
understand that Frank Ballcnce will be preparing legislation
along these lines, and we will work with him on thi5 iasue.
6. The StAte Department of Commerce will make
special efforts to help Warren County Attract ind~try and
jobs. We will·encourage ~usinesses And industries to vi;it
the county and consider sites there for expAnaion.
The.e are the commitments I ma~e on behalf of the
State of North CArolina. It ia my responsibility to see
that they are carried out, and I take thAt responsibility
seriously.
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warren county Citizens
P~ge Three
October 20, 1982
I know how controversial this matter h~s been.
Again, I respect your concerns. And r take them seriou~ly.
Your state government has A responsibility to you ~no to all
the people who live Along the roads where the PCB materiAl
was dumped, as well as all the residents of North Carolina
who ~ight have been affected had that materi~l spreAd and
entered the food chain. The stnte is convinced, on the
basis of the best scientific evidence that is available to
us, that the landfill is safe and will remain safe in the
future.
But you and I have seen that scientists can dis~gree,
and their disagreements concern u&. That is ~hy I intend to
see that the State of North Carolina keeps its commitment ~o
you, your children and your grandchildren to continue to
press for detoxificaton of the site, to closely monitor it
AnQ to guarantee its s~fety for 9enerations to come.
That is the pledge I made to your representatives. in
my office last Friday, and it is the pledge I make to you • now.
My very best personal reqards.