Wisconsin DNR Makes Determination on Proposed C&D Recycling Facility

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made a preliminary determination that a proposed C&D material recovery processing facility in Lafayette, Wis. will not have a negative impact on the environment. DNR's Environmental Assessment is available for public review and comment.

According to a news release issued by the DNR, Construction Materials Recycling LLC is proposing to construct and operate a construction and demolition (C&D) facility at the B.R. Amon & Sons asphalt plant and gravel pit in Lafayette. Construction Materials Recycling LLC will recycle materials at the site from C&D debris. The recycled materials include old corrugated containers, mixed paper, concrete, metals, shingles, plastics, wood and other materials with available recycling markets.

Although an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will not be required, the release says its DNR recommendation does not represent final decisions.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) provides background information for evaluation of project permit applications. The EA and application materials are used to determine whether the specific standards for granting a permit can be met.

Materials to be recycled will come from projects within an identified service area primarily consisting of portions of Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth counties in Wisconsin, and the northern half of two Illinois counties. C&D materials will be subject to a certification and screening process for unauthorized materials prior to acceptance, according to the release.

All processing will be performed on a seven-acre paved surface that will be constructed within the existing gravel pit area on the property. This site is subject to regulatory stormwater management and runoff controls. The processing area will be located adjacent to the existing BR Amon hot mix asphalt plant shingle recycling operation. Due to the outdoor operations, the facility will operate only from April through December.

Construction Materials Recycling LLC anticipates that residential roofing shingles, which have been accepted at the BR Amon asphalt plant since September 2007, will account for more than 50 percent of the C&D materials accepted at their processing operation. Materials that cannot be recycled will be landfilled. The estimated C&D materials acceptance rate at the site will be an average of 104 tons per day. The operation is subject to DNR approval and licensing under state codes.

Copies of the draft Environmental Assessment are available for review at DNR’s Southeast Region headquarters in Milwaukee. Public comments, either written or oral, on the environmental assessment must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m., Dec. 14, 2011, to Kenneth Hein, Southeast Region Waste Management Specialist, at Kenneth.hein@wisconsin.gov or at (414) 263-8714.