The Hugo Neu Landfill and it

1
The Hugo Neu Landfilland its effects on the
Cape Fear Region

• Meghan FullerFall 2004 Coastal Management

2
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

3
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

4
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

5
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

6
What to do!?

• Brunswick Citizens for a Safe Environment
• Meetings on Monday nights
• Contact the BCSE Board of Directors, Terrie
  Holden and Betsy Summerville.