2005 News

July 27, 2005
Commissioners Oppose Waste Transfer Station in Bensalem

The Bucks County Commissioners voiced opposition to the proposed construction of a waste transfer station in Bensalem near the Delaware River -- an area targeted for revitalization and future development.

The commissioners cited three reasons why the state Department of Environmental Protection should turn down the transfer station application from a Montgomery County developer:

,Conflicts with a county-municipal plan to revitalize the riverfront
,Will exacerbate traffic problems in a congested area
,Conflicts with existing waste management plan

A waste transfer station at 2522 State Road, Bensalem would introduce heavy industrial land use into the waterfront area, which is clearly out of step with the visionary Delaware River Revitalization Plan created by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority, the Bucks County Planning Commission and six riverfront municipalities.

On behalf of the county commissioners, Lynn Bush, executive director of the county planning commission, wrote a letter to the DEP detailing county opposition to the proposal and also citing the Bucks County Waste Management Plan that identifies on-site source separation (of waste products) as the preferred method, rather than packaging all materials together on trucks off-site, which complicates the recycling process.

To further emphasize the county's position, Bucks County Commissioner James F. Cawley, Esq. joined state and Bensalem township officials at a meeting in DEP's Norristown office yesterday to oppose construction of a transfer station in the heart of Bensalem's waterfront revitalization area. Cawley said the county envisions a vital mix of residential, retail and recreational land use along the historic waterway.

"A trash transfer station is out of place, would create traffic nightmares and effectively stifle our plan to breathe new life into this area," Cawley said.

In urging the DEP to reject the waste transfer station application, the commissioners said it is their intention to see that development of the Delaware River waterfront from Morrisville to Bensalem is guided by sound land use principles, economic analysis, cost effectiveness and important local input.