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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District (the Corps) has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) regarding the Southeastern Public Service Authority’s (SPSA) proposal to expand the Regional Landfill in Suffolk. The expansion projects into Cells VIII and IX to create approximately 16 million cubic yards (CY) of disposal capacity. The Corps is accepting written comments on the FEIS until March 31, 2025.

SPSA has applied for a permit to impact 109.64 acres of forested wetlands at the existing regional landfill by expanding into Cells VIII and IX. The expansion is part of SPSA’s long-term plan to provide critical disposal capacity for the region, consistent with the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP) for Southeastern Virginia.

Based on current and anticipated municipal waste tonnages, the existing landfill area, Cells V and VI, will run out of capacity in 2027. Cell VII, authorized in 2002, will provide an additional 10 years of disposal capacity through 2037. SPSA plans to meet capacity needs through 2060, requiring approximately 16 million CY of disposal capacity.

SPSA proposed to preserve the 217.21-acre future expansion area (Cells X, XI, and XII ) through a conservation easement. Preservation of this area, including the standing timber, is part of SPSA’s mitigation proposal.

The Nansemond Indian Nation has voiced significant concerns regarding the SPSA landfill expansion due to its potential impact on a Traditional Cultural Property (TCP). The Nation believes the project site is within their ancestral lands. Evaluation of a potential TCP requires consideration under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. In consultation with the Nansemond Indian Nation, the Norfolk District identified a TCP within the project area. The Norfolk District determined that the project would harm the TCP and has developed a draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to address adverse impacts. The Nansemond Indian Nation indicates that the “Great Dismal Swamp is a landscape of incredible historical, cultural, ecological, and spiritual importance to our Nation, from deep Pre-Contact times until the present day.”

Southampton County has expressed opposition to the landfill expansion, having passed a resolution against developing a new landfill within its borders. In February 2023, the Southampton County Planning Department indicated that a landfill at Site SH30 is “…generally inconsistent with the county’s future plans and current ordinances”. The county’s Comprehensive Plan designates Site SH30 as “Industrial” and strongly emphasizes job creation in areas noted as Industrial. Additionally, Site SH30 has a zoning designation of A-1, Agricultural, district, and sanitary landfills in the A-1 zoning designation requires approval of a Conditional Use Permit by the Board of Supervisors after review and recommendation from the Planning Commission.

The City of Suffolk has also indicated that it would not support the development of a second landfill within its municipal boundaries. Like Southampton County, the City of Suffolk’s outreach responses state that construction of a landfill at the off-site locations in question would be inconsistent with future plans and current ordinances.

The Norfolk District has prepared the FEIS to assess the potential environmental impacts of permitting and constructing the proposed expansion. The Corps has considered a range of alternatives to the proposed action.
Based on scoping comments and analysis, the Norfolk District refined the preliminary range of alternatives and identified two on-site alternatives and six possible off-site alternatives for potential evaluation in the DEIS. A second scoping period was held to accept comments on the other options to be reviewed. Ultimately, five off-site alternatives were deemed unpracticable, and one was dismissed due to greater wetland impacts. One off-site alternative (SH30) was carried forward in the DEIS but later deemed impracticable based on public comments and other factors. A hybrid alternative, combining a smaller landfill footprint with hauling to private landfills (the No-Action alternative), is analyzed in the FEIS.

Alternative A: No Action Alternative
The Regional Landfill would continue to operate utilizing the currently permitted capacity.
Once the currently permitted space reaches capacity, waste will be hauled to landfills in other areas for processing and disposal.

Alternative B: Proposed Action (SPSA Preferred)
Involves expanding operations into Cells VIII and IX, creating approximately 16 million cubic yards (CY) of disposal capacity.
Requires approvals and permits from federal, state, and local agencies before any ground disturbance or construction.

Alternative C: Proposed Action with Airspace Utilization
Cells VIII and IX would be developed.
The airspace between Cells V and VII would also be utilized for landfilling operations, securing an additional 1.52 million CY of disposal capacity.
Requires relocation of the pump station and underground utilities, as well as infrastructure for Cell V leachate, landfill gas, and stormwater management.

Alternative E: Hybrid
Two scenarios are developed in which 50% or 25% of MSW would be diverted to private area landfills after 50% or 75% of MSW has been landfilled at the Regional Landfill.
The proposed expansion has the potential to affect over 100 acres of wetlands regulated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), requiring a Department of the Army Individual Permit. The Norfolk District will determine whether to issue, issue with conditions, or deny SPSA a DA permit under Section 404 of the CWA.

The Corps will accept comments on the FEIS for 30 days following publication in the Federal Register. Comments should be in writing and sent to Melissa Nash by email to spsa-eis@usace.army.mil, or by regular mail to Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers (ATTN: CENAO-WRR), 803 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510-1011. All comments must be received by March 31, 2025.
Comments should be as specific as possible, referring to chapters and pages of the FEIS with supporting sources. Substantive comments will be addressed in the Record of Decision (ROD).

The FEIS is available electronically:
https://projects.vhbapps.com/spsa-eis/
http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/SPSAPermit/
For those who cannot access the FEIS electronically, contact Melissa Nash at 757-201-7489.