PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has announced that the third meeting of the Central Landfill Management Action Committee will take place on Tuesday, December 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Ferri Middle School (Room 220) in Johnston. The meeting is open to the public.

This ad hoc committee was formed last month to advise state, federal, and local authorities on appropriate actions to be taken concerning issues such as odor and erosion problems that have been occurring at the Central Landfill. The committee serves as a vehicle for providing outreach and dialogue with the community on a regular, ongoing basis.

The committee consists of representatives from DEM, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state Department of Health, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, the community surrounding the landfill, as well as local elected officials and Johnston Mayor William Macera.

During the committee's first organizational meeting on November 17, an extensive list of priority issues was identified by committee members and the public. The issues related to health concerns; environmental, economic and community impacts from the landfill; administrative procedures; communications; and landfill operations. At the committee's second meeting on November 30, attention was focused primarily on the issue of citizen participation and the committee's mission.

For additional information about the committee, contact Terry Gray at 222-4700 ext. 2410, or check the Department's website at http://www.dem.state.ri.us/central/index.htm.