DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — Constant noise, dirt, and dust have become the new reality for dozens of families in Dauphin County living near a construction dump site.
"[It's just] truck after truck after truck," said Heidi Ferguson.
“Every day they’re here from 6:45, 7:00 in the morning all the way until 5:00 in the evening," added Tom Brown.
Since October, people like Brown and Ferguson, who live on Roller Drive and Reading Street in Steelton, have dealt with a daily dose of tailgates slamming and dust overtaking their homes.
“Big machines moving, your house shaking, you’d think there was an earthquake," explained Ferguson.
“No one’s out on the street during the time they’re working," said Brown. "That’s because of all the dust in the air. I cut my grass and have to wear a mask.”
Roller Drive and Reading Street used to be up against a wooded area. Over the years, that area, which is several acres, turned into a smaller-scale construction dump site, and it has been used for decades as a place to store construction waste.
But over the last ten months, it has turned into a major problem for residents, who say the site has become much bigger and moved much closer to their property lines.
When you turn onto Roller Drive from Reading Street, you are greeted with a large mountain of dirt and rock.
"Little by little, they worked their way over and packed layer on layer of dirt," explained Brown.
Ferguson works from home and tells FOX43 that the noise of the trucks dumping dirt and other materials is a constant headache during the day.
“You hear it through the phones," she said. "I have clients asking me, my bosses in meetings, they’re like ‘What is that noise?’ and I’m like ‘It’s our makeshift construction company we have out back now.'"
Residents in Swatara Township who live on the other side of the site are impacted too.
The site, which spans parts of Steelton and Swatara Township, is currently owned by Capital City Dumpsite LLC, according to Dauphin County tax records.
It was previously owned by B W B, Inc., a demolition and equipment rental service. The land was sold to Capital City Dumpsite in October of 2023, which is when residents say the problems began.
PennDOT tells FOX43 Capital City Dumpsite is a subsidiary of JVI Group, an Adams County-based subcontractor hired by the contractor working on the I-83 expansion project in Dauphin County. That contractor is New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company, Inc. out of New Enterprise, Pa.
FOX43 reached out to New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company, who provided the following statement:
“New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. is the general contractor for PennDOT’s current I-83 expansion project. The waste area is owned and operated by an independent, private entity that is duly permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. has no association with the landowner other than being one of a number of paying customers that deliver fill to this site. The landowner not only is responsible for the permit, but also the erosion and sedimentation control measures. It directs where our trucks unload and performs all grading once the fill is unloaded. Although not required to do so, we have been providing sweeping services in the area prior to Monday August 5, 2024, as is incorrectly suggested in previous reporting.”
According to a Facebook post made by the Borough of Steelton on January 3, Capital City Dumpsite is using the site to "process existing concrete, brick, block, etc. that was left at the site by its previous owner for reuse."
PennDOT says its agency has no control over the site.
“I’m not happy with this and if you ask anyone on this block, they’re not happy with it either," said Brown.
The site is also visible from the William Day Howard Cemetery, which is up against one side of it.
"It's just headstones then dirt pile, and it shouldn't be like that," said Ferguson.
Residents tell FOX43 they’ve been given no information about when the activity could end, or if it will at all.
“The way it looks right now with the amount of dirt that’s here, I’m under the impression it’s going to be here a couple of years," said Brown.
They’re looking for answers and don’t know where they should go.
“If it were someone from DEP, if it was one of their houses, would they allow this to happen? I doubt it,” said Brown.
FOX43 tried contacting JVI Group's headquarters and was unable to reach a representative to speak to.
FOX43 reached out to Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which gave the company permits for the site, asking for copies of inspection reports and permit applications for the site.
The agency provided FOX43 with the following statement:
"DEP has done inspections of this site and is aware of the community’s concerns. As noted in the inspection reports, DEP has observed several violations and is working with the responsible party to ensure those issues are addressed as soon as possible. Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to clean air, pure water, and a safe and healthy environment, and DEP is committed to accountability for anyone who violates those rights."
DEP also provided FOX43 with inspection reports and copies of multiple letters which were sent to JVI Group between December of 2023 and August of 2024 by the Dauphin County Conservation District, the agency that does local permitting for DEP.
Inspections were done at the site in December 2023, February 2024, and most recently, on August 7, 2024.
Each inspection revealed "that earth disturbance activities are being conducted in a manner that is contrary to the approved erosion and sediment control plan and in violation of Pennsylvania's The Clean Streams Law."
The most recent letter sent to JVI on August 13 continued, "The Conservation District's primary mission is to educate and assist the public in making the best choices in conserving and protecting our natural resources. In so doing the Conservation District prefers to resolve this matter through voluntary means. Please contact the District in reference to the corrective measures you plan to take or have already taken and the expected timeframes for completion."
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