Contentious plans aimed at replacing the nearly full Glenn County Landfill with a high-tech waste facility near Hamilton City took a significant step forward Wednesday, over the vociferous objections of opponents.
The Glenn County Planning Commission both certified the Environmental Impact Report and approved a conditional use permit for the project. The votes were 4-1, with Commissioner William Irvin the lone 'no' vote.
The proposal, by KVB Inc., would replace the nearly full county dump near Artois with a facility that enables further sorting and removing of recyclables, and digestion of solid waste using bacteria and enzymes.
Project opponents, who packed the meeting room, vowed to appeal the decision and file suit, claiming that environmental documents violate the California Environmental Quality Act. Opponents charge that the project could damage local groundwater and a Sacramento River tributary, generate dangerous traffic conditions and create foul odors.
Project proponents say all of the potential problems can be minimized through proper design.