Cleanup Underway at McKean County Tire Pile

“We worked very closely with Foster Township, Mace Recycling and McKean County Landfill to reach a final agreement on removing the tires,” Burch said. “Now that we have that agreement, we are here to witness the next step---actual cleanup of the site. And we are delighted to know that the future of this property will bring a new recreational opportunity to the community.”

Foster Township is using DEP’s Solid Waste Abatement Fund and a recently announced $49,500 grant to remove the 100,000 waste tires. DEP has hired a contractor to chip the tires and McKean County landfill is donating manpower and vehicles to transport the tire chips to the landfill where they will be used as a gravel substitute to improve drainage.

Under the agreement, Mace Recycling has donated the 2-acre property at 47 Tuna Cross Road to Foster Township, so the township can include the land in developing a park.

“Beginning next spring, residents will see a lot of activity here as we start to build pavilions and ball fields and a parking area,” Foster Township Supervisor Cary Kaber said. “Our project is part of a bigger plan for this stretch of Tunungwant Creek that includes walking trails and additional cleanup work. This piece of property is crucial to our goal of providing a multi-purpose outdoor recreation area for local residents.”

DEP had worked with Mace Recycling for a number of years to reduce the number of waste tires to the level identified in its permit. Earlier this year, when no significant progress had been made, DEP revoked the company’s permit to store and recycle used tires at the property. DEP will pursue the $75,000 bond held by the company to recoup some of the costs associated with the clean up.

For more information, visit the PA PowerPort at http://www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: “waste tires”.