The potential exposure to hazardous air pollutants due to the recent approval by the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners for the NEW construction of a waste-transfer and recycling facility is unacceptable. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Air Quality has submitted a public notice for an air permit including applicable information to the Elkhart Public Library to display reading in part “This proposed project is regarding a source that may have the potential to significantly impact air quality,” (OAQ). I along with many residents live within close proximity to the new site and were unaware of the proposal and subsequent approval by the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners. The public notice by the county commissioners for the approval hearing was published in the Goshen News paper and Middlebury Independent, however being residents of Elkhart City the vast majority would be subscribers of the Elkhart Truth. As such there are many important unanswered questions and substantiated concerns about the significant potential impact on our communities air quality and the associated health concerns. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has released a “Notice of 30-day Period For Public Comment” that reads “The applicant intends to construct and operate new equipment that will emit air pollutants,” (IDEM). I have included a brief summary below along with LINKS to the Indiana Department of Environmental Managements Public Notice containing the permit showing the hazardous emissions and EPA sources of information regarding the exposure and associated health risks we will face. I highly encouraged you review the permit application and technical information at the Elkhart Public Library as well for accuracy.

Construction and development of the recycling center has commenced and will be located on CR 7 across from the county Jail and approximately 1,400 ft. North of CR 26. The site would consist of multiple buildings over 80+ acres, storage of materials and associated equipment both indoors and outdoors, indoor and outdoor grinding operations, sorting and processing of various materials for recycling including processing wood for mulch and animal bedding utilizing a stationary wood and drywall grinding facility. CR 7 would be utilized for trucking and transportation leading to increased commercial traffic. “The New Source Construction and Federally Enforceable State Operating Permit” does identify and address the hazardous air pollutants that will be created by the processing of materials under the “Emission Unit Operation Conditions” including PM, PM10, and PM2.5 while also identifying the amount of fugitive dust that will be created by trucking operations on unpaved roads (facility property). The application for the operation of the recycling center has been submitted to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and is currently in draft as of 5/16/2019 pending a 30-day waiting period expiring on 6/15/2019 for public notification purposes. The 30-day period is for public questions, comments, and concerns as to the proposed application and subsequent operations of the facility including the emission of hazardous air pollutants. The air pollutants recorded in the application have been identified by the EPA as being directly linked to specific health related problems affecting the heart and lungs based on the size of the particulate matter (PM) with PM-10 and PM-2.5 posing the greatest risk. Children, older adults, and those with heart and lung disease are most likely to be affected. Remember, the amount of emission of hazardous air pollutants by the proposed waste-transfer and recycling facility is CURRENTLY NONE only because it hasn't completed the application process! NO EXPOSURE IS SAFE EXPOSURE!

I believe no one should just stand by and watch our cherished and aspiring community risk the potential for exposure that may lead to irreversible consequences. The proposed site is within approximately 2-miles of; schools including Concord Westside Elementary and Elkhart Christian Academy, multiple residential neighborhoods and properties including Bent Oak and Doral Village, health care facilities including Valley View Healthcare Center, Old Farms Apartment complex, and many others. The threat of exposure to hazardous pollutants has been a reality for many including those in the neighboring Baugo Community whom were reportedly exposed for many years by the local VIM Recycling Facility. NO EXPOSURE IS SAFE EXPOSURE!

1. New Source Construction and Federally Enforceable State Operating Permit:   http://permits.air.idem.in.gov/41354d.pdf

2. EPA Particulate Matter (PM) Basics Info (webpage): https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics

3. EPA Health and Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter Info (webpage): https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/health-and-environmental-effects-particulate-matter-pm

4. EPA - Criteria Air Pollutants Info (webpage): https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants

#FightForWhatsRight2019 #AirKhart