OLD TOWN, Maine — The Penobscot Nation and the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) are appealing to stop the expansion of the largest landfill in Maine, filing a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
In October, the Maine DEP approved the expansion of Juniper Ridge. The landfill, operated by Casella Waste Systems, is planning to add 11.9 million cubic yards to the facility to fulfill the waste needs of the state.
In a Public Benefit Determination, the Maine DEP concluded the expansion does offer a substantial public benefit and aligns with environmental justice.
The Conservation Law Foundation and the Penobscot Nation disagree, saying in the lawsuit that the expansion would be environmentally unjust.
Chuck Leithiser, an Old Town resident of over 40 years who’s included in the lawsuit, said the landfill’s pollution has negatively impacted his quality of life.
"I’m worried about the health consequences," he said.
Leithiser said because of the environmental impacts of Juniper Ridge, he can’t enjoy his favorite activities like fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing anymore.
"When it smells that bad, you know it’s not good for you, and you don’t want to be outside in it," he said.
In the lawsuit, the Penobscot Nation expressed concern about the contamination of the Penobscot River, which they consider sacred.
In a statement, Penobscot Tribal Chief Kirk Francis said, "It carries life, culture, and the history for our people. The continued contamination from this landfill endangers that legacy and puts the health of our community at risk."
The CLF argued the expansion will worsen air pollution and increase exposure to harmful chemicals like PFAS.
"Challenging this decision is not just about protecting the environment; it’s about safeguarding the future and ensuring justice for the communities most impacted," Alexandra St. Pierre, CLF’s director of Communities and Toxics said.
The Maine DEP said it is unable to comment on pending litigation.
In response to the lawsuit, a representative for Casella said in a statement to NEWS CENTER Maine, "Even though Casella has operated the Juniper Ridge Landfill on behalf of the State of Maine for 20 years with zero violations of state or federal regulations, CLF continues to spread false narratives about operations at the facility. These organizations continue to be detrimental to moving Maine forward."
In its ruling last month, the Maine DEP said to mitigate environmental concerns, Casella must install a system to treat PFAS that comes from the landfill.
CLF and the Penobscot Nation said in their filing that if the court does not decide to reverse the Maine DEP’s approval, they ask that the court requires the Maine DEP to make this condition stricter.
"We feel we have to stand together to demand accountability and ensure that sustainable and forward-thinking solutions take precedence," St. Pierre said.
No court dates have been scheduled yet.