The Hugo Neu Landfilland it’s effects on the Cape Fear Region

Meghan FullerFall 2004

Coastal Management

What it It?

Hugo Neu is New York based company Automobile recycling plant & landfill Proposed location is Leland, NC Adjacent to Indian Creek 170 acres, 350 feet high

Automobile Recycling & Auto Fluff

Cars are shredded and sold to China Material not recycled is auto fluff Each year shredders are left with ~5 million

tons of “fluff” Leading source of mercury contamination EPA defines components as hazardous Not eligible for Superfund clean-ups

Testing & Protecting Landfills

Landfill liners leak HDPE “state-of-the-art” liners EPA regulations (1991) require expensive

landfill design TCLP tests for 43/100 hazardous chemicals

present in landfill

Associated Problems

Cape Fear most toxic in NC Hundreds of shellfish beds closed Crab & oyster populations 90% decrease Airborne toxins cause respiratory problems Fish kills due to Pfiesteria Loss of property/property value Leads to beach pollution

What to do!?

Brunswick Citizens for a Safe Environment Meetings on Monday nights Contact the BCSE Board of Directors,

Terrie Holden and Betsy Summerville.