OLD TOWN – The Board of Environmental Protection had opened a period of opportunity for those who wish to have intervenor’s status in the licensing proceeding and public hearing on the applications for a 9.35 million cubic yard expansion of the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town.

The expansion proposal would ultimately extend the solid waste footprint of the landfill by about 54 acres, to 122 acres in total. The proposed expansion also involves an additional 20 acres of infrastructure (including roads, sedimentation ponds, scales, and buildings), and the relocation of the perimeter fence and electrical line. The expansion proposal would result in the filling of 2.04 acres of freshwater wetlands and clearing in 0.10 acres of freshwater wetland.

The combined applications for the expansion, which consists of five volumes, is available for review on line at www.maine.gov/dep under Major Projects before DEP. The Board of Environmental Protection assumed licensing jurisdiction over the applications on September 17. Notice of the public hearing date, time and location will be announced at a later date.

At this time any individual, partnership, corporation, government entity, association, or public or private organization that wants to participate as a party to the proceeding, as opposed to simply offering testimony at the hearing as a member of the general public, may file a petition for leave to intervene pursuant. A petition must include: identification of the petitioner; a description of the effect of the proposed activity on the petitioner; specific contentions regarding the subject matter of the hearing and the relevant statutory criteria; the name of the spokesperson for the petitioner; and a statement regarding the ability of the petitioner to participate in the proceeding.

If the petitioner is a group or organization, the petition shall include a general description of the purpose and membership of the group or organization. The BEP may, at its discretion, allow other petitioners to intervene as a full or limited party to the proceeding.

The BEP will review and rule on all petitions for intervention. The Board may require petitioners to consolidate or join their appearances in whole or in part if their interests or contentions are substantially similar and such consolidation would not prejudice the rights of any party. A person who does not intervene may still participate in the hearing by offering oral testimony and/or written comments at the hearing.

Petitions to intervene must be received by the Board of Environmental Protection no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 17. Petitions should be addressed to: James W. Parker, Chair, Board of Environmental Protection, c/o Ruth Ann Burke, 17 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Petitions may also be submitted electronically at Ruth.a.burke@maine.gov or by fax at (207) 287-2814; however, such submittals must be followed by filing of a signed paper copy within five working days.

Questions regarding petitions to intervene may be directed to Cynthia Bertocci, the Board’s Executive Analyst, atCynthia.s.bertocci@maine.gov or by phone at (207) 287-2452.