Virginia DEQ
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DEQ has developed this web page to provide information regarding the current odor issues associated with the Bristol Landfill. The City of Bristol, Virginia, owns and operates the Bristol Integrated Solid Waste Facility, which consists of a solid waste management facility operated under Solid Waste Permit 588 and Air Registration No. 11184. DEQ takes these issues very seriously and continues to work with the city, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, stakeholders and citizens to find solutions.
DEQ continues to inspect and monitor activities at the landfill and work with the city, EPA and other partners to develop and implement lasting corrective actions.
This page will be updated as new information becomes available.
Bristol Landfill Consent Decree Approved
On April 4, 2023, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced that the City of Bristol, Virginia and DEQ entered into a consent decree to address issues at the Bristol Landfill.
Negotiated Settlement Entered for Court Approval
On March 17, 2023, the Commonwealth of Virginia, DEQ Director Michael Rolband, the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board, and the Virginia Waste Management Board, and the City of Bristol, Virginia filed a motion to enter the judicial consent decree memorializing the terms of a negotiated settlement. The proposed Consent Decree was noticed for public comment. The public comment period began on Jan. 27, 2023 and closed on Feb. 27, 2023.
Some comments submitted during the public comment period suggested potential amendments to the proposed Consent Decree, including requirements for permanent closure; continuous air monitoring; soil and water monitoring; high temperature monitoring; community emergency or safety plans; additional website posting of data, information, notifications of activities, and public outreach; reconvening the Expert Panel; and community restitution. After careful review of each comment, it was determined that the suggestions either did not further the purpose of the Consent Decree, which is the timely remediation of the issues at the Landfill or were already incorporated in the Consent Decree. The Consent Decree follows the Expert Panel Report, and even requires more stringent remediation measures in certain circumstances.
Following the close of the public comment period and upon the review of all comments received, and upon the recommendation of staff and counsel, the Director has approved the settlement and asked the Court to approve.
Consent Decree
The Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Environmental Quality negotiated the terms of a judicial Consent Decree with the City of Bristol, Virginia. This Consent Decree resolves the Commonwealth’s civil claims against Bristol for the violations alleged in a Complaint related to the Bristol Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility.
Lawsuit
On Jan. 13, 2023, Attorney General Jason Miyares sued the City of Bristol on behalf of DEQ, the Virginia Waste Management Board, and the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties for violating the Commonwealth’s environmental laws and regulations at the landfill. If a settlement is reached, a consent decree will be made available for public comment.
Expert Panel
An expert panel met with city officials and their consulting engineers in March to review the landfill’s history, how it was built, operating procedures and efforts taken to mitigate odor concerns to date. The panel – led by Mark A. Widdowson, Ph.D., P.E., Department Head and Professor and Charles E. Via, Jr., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech – was charged with providing practicable recommendations to the City of Bristol moving forward and solving the odor problem. Organized by DEQ and supported with emergency funds, experts from across North America, as well as from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, assisted in this effort. DEQ concluded that working with City Manager Eads and the expert panel was the necessary step to determine the best course of action moving forward. The result of the panel’s work is summarized in a report to the city.
Odor Reports
The City of Bristol solid waste permit contains an Odor Management Plan, which consists of a requirement to provide people with a means to report odor observations.
For the most expedient response to your odor report, please use the Solid Waste Facility Concerns and Odor Report form via the City of Bristol portal by clicking the button below.