Residents Oppose Proposed Chatham County Landfill

CHATHAM COUNTY — They are talking trash troubles in Chatham County. A deal in the works could mean close to 250 trucks from seven different counties would be hauling garbage to Moncure everyday.

Paul McKoy and his wife, Barbara, are lifelong residents of Chatham County. Their old family farmhouse sits just miles from a proposed regional landfill site. He is worried that it will compromise the character of the community.

"This is the worst thing that ever popped up for Chatham County, I believe," he says.

Tuesday, county commissioners announced they are looking at a plan for a 200-acre landfill near Moncure. The proposed landfill would serve seven counties: Wake, Orange, Durham, Lee, Chatham, Guilford and Alamance.

Some say it could provide a much needed economic boost to the area close to $60 million over 25 years.

"It's a tremendous revenue stream. It's four, five or ten times greater than any other propsed project for this particular area," says Chatham County commissioner Gary Phillips.

Still, some say Moncure is being unfairly targeted.

"We have the Shearron Harris [nuclear plant] over there. We have chicken plants, and we have other things. It's enough for that area, lay off!" says concerned neighbor Rev. Carrie Bolton.

County commissioners will take up the issue at their next meeting on January 16, which will then be followed by public hearings. That process could take months.