We Demand: No Waste in Wabanaki Territory!
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved the expansion of the State-owned, Casella operated Juniper Ridge Landfill. It must be overturned.
Juniper Ridge Landfill (JRL) is a state-owned landfill privately operated by Casella Waste systems. JRL is the largest landfill in the state of Maine, located a mere mile upstream from the Penobscot Nation reservation. In October 2024, after reviewing Casella’s application for expansion, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a determination stating that the expansion of JRL would benefit the public, despite testimony and outcry from local residents and official opposition taken by Penobscot Nation.
Since 2022 Maine law requires that projects with potentially severe environmental impacts fall in line with the state's definition of “environmental justice.” In addition to the environmental impacts of this expansion, this is an issue of racism and Indigenous sovereignty.
As Maulian Bryant, the Penobscot Nation Tribal ambassador, stated, “The health and well-being of the River has a direct and absolute effect on the health and well-being of our Tribal citizens.. ..the expansion of Juniper Ridge under Casella perpetuates harms against the Penobscot Nation, who are the original stewards of these lands and waters dating back over 10,000 years. We add our voice to the assertion that there is no public benefit to this expansion, quite the opposite.”
Neurotoxins and carcinogenic chemicals have been found in JRL leachate in unsafe amounts. This leachate is continually dumped into the Penobscot River, just below the Penobscot reservation at the ND Pulp mill. Though the DEP found that the expansion aligns with “environmental justice,” it is clear that the DEP cares more about the profits of a private corporation who holds a regional monopoly on waste in the Northeast, than they do for the sovereignty of Penobscot Nation, and the health of all Maine people and waterways.
Since the issuing of this determination, Penobscot Nation and Conservation Law Foundation have sued the DEP to appeal the decision.
We demand that the DEP align themselves with the interests of the public and the environment instead of the interests of private corporations. We demand the DEP respect Penobscot sovereignty and overturn their decision to support the expansion."