Seneca County Board of Health issues intent to deny landfill license
The Seneca County Board of Health passed a resolution Thursday evening issuing a notice of intent to deny the 2025 operating license for WIN Waste Innovations of Seneca County.
The resolution was passed unanimously by the Board and outlines the landfill’s noncompliance as grounds for denial.
According to the resolution, Win Waste falsified inspection reports and kept an internal inspection log that was not submitted to Seneca County General Health District or Ohio EPA. The internal log noted ongoing erosion and ponding issues, while the log that was provided to SCGHD and Ohio EPA did not.
According to the resolution, WIN Waste did not protect the landfill’s intermediate cover from erosion or water damage and failed to comply with the requirements of an Ohio Administrative Code to employ the best management practices for erosion control. It also failed to timely repair the erosion in accordance with its 2013 Permit to Install.
The resolution states that WIN Waste did not control odors, therefore violating the limit of the landfill’s Title V permit that restricts hydrogen sulfide emissions. It also failed to conduct daily inspections of the loaded and unloaded rail cars at the landfill for leaks or spills as required by a condition of its 2023 and 2024 licenses.
“WIN Waste has failed to comply with its 2023 and 2024 license conditions,” said Seneca County Board of Health President Dr. Clay Wolph. “It does not make sense to issue another operating license with conditions that won’t be followed. The 2023 and 2024 license conditions are more than reasonable and are necessary to safeguard our environment and residents.”
WIN Waste has 30 days to request a hearing in which a hearing examiner will issue a recommendation. The Board will take into consideration the recommendation and then issue a final action to either grant or deny the 2025 operating license. If the license is denied, WIN Waste can appeal the decision to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC). In the meantime, WIN Waste is still able to operate under its 2024 license with conditions, although it has filed a separate case in ERAC disputing the conditions.