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Smith explained, “This is a statewide problem, as well as a Haralson County problem, and I introduced legislation in the last session to limit landfills in Georgia. Solid Solutions preys on poorer counties like Haralson with promises of tax revenue and jobs. Waste management State Rep. Tyler Paul Smith has a powerful lobby in the legislature and my bill did not make it out of committee.

Smith explained, “Georgia is a pro waste management state, and we understand we need to work hard to get it passed in the next session. I, along with State Senator Jason Anivatarte, will work diligently to pass a bill that protects residents, particularly in rural counties through bi-partisan support. In fact, this bill is my number 1 legislative priority in the next session,”

Smith exclaimed. “And let’s call this landfill what it is - a dump!”

Johnny Wright of Haralson County Alliance said, “As of today, Solid Solutions has still not made an application for rezoning of property to be used for the mega landfill project. We do not know why they are delaying, but we do expect the application will be forthcoming,”

According to their website, Solid Solutions Development, Inc., specializes in bringing long-term economic development projects to rural communities by partnering with them in permitting and constructing critical environmental infrastructure needed for their sustained growth. They have opened an office in Tallapoosa.

Solid Solutions has purchased land within Haralson County and is proposing a massive 2,000 acre landfill site. In a June 4th letter to Haralson County residents, Solid Solutions stated that their proposed landfill would have an area of 300 acres on a 2,000-acre site. According to a March 2020, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spreadsheet, currently the largest landfill in Georgia is 210 acres on a 560 acre site.

“Buncombe is a beautiful rural area with good farmland,” Smith continues. “This proposal has discouraged residents from buying land in the area, as well as current owners utilizing their property, as you can imagine. Landfills present a host of concerns and problems. The water supply will be in jeopardy as the waste leaks into the streams in the area, contaminating the water.

“And because it is close to the Alabama border, it could continue across state lines creating a host of lawsuits. Love thy neighbor? It will create lawsuits until Jesus comes back to call his children home! It is simply too close to water supplies. Do I need to mention the odor it will create? And what about the gases that will emirate from the area?,” said Wright.

Opponents are concerned that coal ash ponds would be created, with possibly property values deceasing.

Wright said, “We need responsible waste management. We already have one closed dump in Haralson County off Cashtown Road that sits idle. What do you do with a closed dump site?”

Like Haralson Alliance, Smith, who resides inBremen, proposes conservation measures to improve conditions at the current landfill sites as well as reducing waste. “We need to use existing landfills more effectively with methods to break down old trash. As residents, we need to utilize recycling better. We need every area, including urban areas like Atlanta, to be stewards of their own waste. We don’t want coal dents living in all parts of Haralson County. According to their website their goals are: - prevent Haralson County from becoming the home of the Solid Solutions landfill which would be the largest landfill in Georgia. - reduce the harm done to those living near the Polk County landfill where Haralson County waste is presently dumped. - turn waste into wealth via recycling to create more jobs and bolster the regional economy.

“Companies like Solid Solutions are counting on you not caring,” Rep. Smith says. “As a county and as a state, we must show them we do care through local participation and through legislation on the statewide level. At the moment we are the number one state to do business in. We don’t want to become the number one state to dump trash in!”

For more information on the Haralson Alliance go to Haralsonalliance.org.

As of press time, Solid Solutions had not responded to StarNews’ email questions. For more information on Solid Solutions: http://solidsolutionsdev.com/

Tyler Paul Smith is an attorney, having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from The Citadel and a Juris Doctor Degree from John Marshall Law School.

Smith (Republican Party) is a member of Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 18. He won the general election on November 3, 2020, assumed office on January 11, 2021, and his current term ends on January 8, 2023. Smith may be reached at: tyler.smith@house.ga.gov 404-657-1803

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On the local landfill would have an area of 300 acres front, the Haralson County Alliance on a 2,000-acre site. There are more for Responsible than 500 homes in the area affected Waste by the proposed site, many with wells Management was as the source for their water. formed by many concerned Haralson County residents whose homes are located in the vicinity of this massive landfill proposed by Solid Solutions. There are more than 500 homes in the area affected by the proposed site, many with wells as the source for their water.

The Alliance has since grown to include resi-

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