ABOUT DUMP

Our work continues with research, monitoring, educating and collaborating with others to improve the water quality of Lake Memphremagog and the watershed that feeds it.

Act 250 District 7 Coordinator issues the requested Jurisdictional Opnion regarding the SAFF system, agreeing with DUMP's position that an amendment is required.

Don't Undermine Memphremagog's Purity Inc. requests and is granted approval for tax exempt status by the IRS under section 501(c)(3).  Contributions to DUMP are tax deductible as allowed by law.

DUMP submits a request for a Jurisdictional Opinion.  DUMP contends that the SAFF system constitutes a “material change” under Act 250 Rule 2(C)(6) and therefore an amendment application to Land Use Permit 7R0841-17 is required.

DUMP holds a fundraiser featuring local band The Mike Goudreau Band at the EastSide

DUMP issues a press release informing the public about the pilot project malfunction - leachate leak – that occurred on February 24, 2024 where over 9,000 gallons of leachate spilled onto the ground at the landfill.

 DUMP holds a fundraiser featuring local musician Jamie Lee Thurston at the EastSide.

DUMP appeals the Act 250 District Commission’s permit for the construction of the experimental Underdrain 3 PFAS treatment system (Case 23-ENV-00078).  DUMP contends that this system is inadequate to remove the contaminants that pose health hazards for both humans and the environment.  The appeal (the cross motion?) was dismissed August 23, 2024.

DUMP requests a hearing and party status for the Act 250 Permit 7R0841-17, for a Pilot Project Leachate Treatment Building.

DUMP, joined by Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) appeal the Declaratory Ruling that an NPDES was not required for the discharges from Underdrain 3.  (Case 23-ENV-00053)The case was dismissed April 17, 2024.

DUMP appeals the Renewal of the Pretreatment Permit 3-1406. alleges that ANR’s failure to first promulgate applicable standards and then require adequate evidentiary proof in support of issuance of a Pretreatment Permit has resulted in the issuance of a Permit authorizing unspecified pretreatment in reliance upon an impermissible “condition subsequent” (“special condition” # 5 in the Permit) and at an unspecified location by a possibly ineligible private corporate entity.  The appeal was dismissed April 3, 2023.

DUMP filed a Petition for a Declaratory Ruling with the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources.  In the petition DUMP contends that the pollutant laden flows from an drain under Phase 3 of the Coventry landfill (UD#3) constitute a “discharge” from a point source and require a NPDES Discharge Permit.DUMP member Peggy Stevens gave testimony to the Vermont House Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife committee to emphasize the importance of protecting Lake Memphremagog, and the risks the landfill in Coventry poses to the health of the lake and surrounding watershed.

DUMP requests a declaratory ruling from ANR Secretary Julie Moore.  DUMP provides documentation to Secretary Moore of the ANR, that clearly illustrates the need for ANR to require NEWSVT to submit an application for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) for the discharges from Underdrain 3.  

DUMP published a white paper documenting actions by the Department of Environmental Conservation that denied DUMP a level playing field for

meaningful participation in the processing of an application for the pretreatment of leachate from the NEWSVT Coventry landfill, and two other landfills, prior to discharge in the City of Montpelier wastewater treatment facility (WWTF).

The Vermont Department of Conservation released a draft Pretreatment Discharge Permit to renew the disposal of leachate at the Montpelier Wastewater Treatment Facility.  The draft permit also contains a condition that requests the landfill company to complete a pilot plan for treating the leachate prior to its disposal in Montpelier.  It has been stated publicly that they plan to complete the pilot facility in the Lake Memphremagog watershed.

DUMP participated in the Memphremagog Community Meeting, Hosted by Secretary Julie Moore from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.

DUMP was selected to be a community liaison for the study “Guidance on PFAS Testing and Health Outcomes” being conducted by the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine. The presentation made by DUMP to the committee members focused on landfills as a source of PFAS contamination.

DUMP launches a petition drive to designate Lake Memphremagog a “Lake in Crisis”. The petition garnered over 3900 signatures and raised awareness and concern regarding the impaired health of Lake Memphremagog.

Responded in public comment to the report on Landfill Siting requested of ANR by House Natural Resources Committee, followed by DUMP spokesperson Peggy Stevens providing testimony to committee January 2021. where she commented on shortcomings of this report. (2:12:03) 

• Provided public comment on ANR/SWM Plan, Plan for PFAS Standards in Surface Water and Landfill Siting Plan.
• Expanded outreach to other environmental organizations in the area and Vermont: Northwoods Stewardship Center, Conservation Law Foundation, Vermont Conservation Voters, VPIRG, Community Action Works, Lake Champlain Basin Program, and Save Forest Lake (NH
• Participated in “Tell Me More w/Moore” (December 2020) on Brown Bullhead with Lesions, following up on previous interactions with Fish and Wildlife biologists in an effort to learn more about the USGS study published 2019. In the December forum, Moore and F&G biologists confirmed that presence of cancer in 25-40% Brown Bullhead species sampled is evidence of environmental contamination in the waters of Memphremagog.
• DUMP Facebook Group - With over 230 members from the US, Vermont and Canada, regularly shares information, media, and reports on PFAS, Landfill concerns; Reducing, Recycling, Composting and landfill liability issues, locally and internationally.  We will continue to share our research and findings, and review the information that is shared with us.

Showings and Discussions of “Dark Waters” film about PFAS at Catamount Arts in St. J and at Magog Cinema in Magog, QC. Both were well attended. A public showing at North Country Union HS in Newport was planned but then Covid-19 arrived and our public information campaign was suspended.

DUMP organized a “Summit on Future of Lake Memphremagog” in Newport, inviting mayors and legislators on both sides of the US/Canada border to discuss water quality concerns and data. Tom Berry of Sen. Leahy’s office attended, beginning an ongoing relationship with our Federal delegation. Many questions were raised, and the large contingent of Canadian legislators has asked for a follow-up meeting, perhaps in September 2021.

At our legal counsel’s recommendation, DUMP entered into mediation with the owner of the landfill. This negotiation resulted in the following:

1) DUMP would drop the appeal to the ANR for the expansion permit.

2) Landfill leachate would not be disposed of at the Newport wastewater treatment facility until a Vermont surface water standard for safe PFAS levels were established.

3) DUMP would receive copies of all reports and permits filed with the ANR by the landfill operation.

4) The owner/operator of the landfill must engage a 3rd party to do a study of landfill odor management with recommendations for improvement.

Act 250 approves the expansion with the following conditions,

1) Landfill leachate could not be disposed of in Lake Memphremagog until a proven method for removing PFAS in waste-water treatment plants was found.

2) The owner/operator of the landfill was required to hire an air & odor monitor.

Our two primary concerns of water & air quality, for which we had discovered violations not enforced by ANR, were addressed.

DUMP presented testimony at the ACT 250 hearing, again opposing the expansion of the landfill due to the dangers to the environment and human health.

Our group of volunteers from Vermont and Canada organize to oppose the expansion of the Coventry Landfill, which was approved by the ANR later that month, and then appealed by DUMP. The permit came with the following conditions:

1) The owner/operator submit a plan for testing sources of PFAS by October 15, 2019.

2) The owner/operator shall complete a conceptual scoping study of leachate treatment options by October 15, 2019.