Governor Ayotte Celebrates Withdrawal of Proposed Landfill Near Forest Lake

CONCORD, NH - Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte released the following statement celebrating the withdrawal of an application for a landfill permit near Forest Lake State Park in Dalton:

"This is a win for our North Country and protecting New Hampshire's outdoors. I have said from day one that we would not let Forest Lake become a dumping ground for out-of-state trash, and the withdrawal of this permit application is an important step in ensuring this beautiful area of our state remains pristine for future generations to enjoy. I look forward to signing the law the Legislature sent to my desk to ensure we protect our entire state and give communities like Dalton a voice in the siting process for any future landfill proposal. I will never stop fighting to protect New Hampshire's natural beauty and our quality of life."

North Country leaders and community advocates praised the Governor's leadership and celebrated the permit withdrawal as a win for protecting New Hampshire's environment.

"When I first raised the Dalton landfill issue to Governor Ayotte before she was elected, she was immediately on board with stopping Forest Lake State Park from becoming a dumping ground for out-of-state trash," said Senator David Rochefort of Lancaster. "The Governor was in the trenches with us every step of the way to save Forest Lake and deliver on legislation that gives our communities a say in the landfill siting process. Governor Ayotte will always fight for the North Country, and I look forward to continuing to work together on the issues that matter to my constituents."

"We are extremely grateful for Governor Ayotte's and Senator Rochefort's leadership and support in protecting the North Country," added Wayne Morrison, President of the North Country Alliance for Balanced Change (NCABC). "This second withdrawal by Casella of the Wetland's Application is indicative of a deeply flawed and problematic permit application from its very inception.

Morrison continued, "NCABC was founded by a group of concerned citizens working to ensure that a proposed drag strip in Dalton would not damage fragile wetlands around Alder Brook and pollute the Ammonoosuc River watershed and we have continued fighting for the North Country and protecting our Forest Lake by ensuring that a landfill would not be placed alongside those pristine waters. None of this would have been possible without the strong support of Governor Ayotte and the Legislature."

Governor Ayotte also led the effort to pass a law that gives local communities a say in the landfill siting process and will sign the bill as soon as it reaches her desk.