The combined efforts of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, a landowner, and Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. have saved an old quarry from becoming an illegal dump site and a neighborhood eyesore.

Richard Bittle, Waste Management Program manager with the Department of Environmental Protection, praised William Bastian, the property owner, and PP&L for working with his department to solve this problem.

"This clearly demonstrates how people in the public and private sectors can work together and solve a problem. The resulting team work prevented a piece of property from becoming an unsightly, and illegal, dumping ground," Bittle said.

Work on filling the 1.5-acre site, near the intersection of Interstate 80 and Route 254 in Northumberland County, is nearing completion.

Several months ago, Bastian became concerned that his property was fast becoming an illegal dump as people improperly disposed of old cars, appliances and other trash. He approached PP&L last year about filling in the site.

PP&L already uses an environmentally sound fill material, Stabil-Fill, at various old mines. Stabil-Fill is a mixture of fly ash and hydrated lime. Fly ash is the powdery residue that results from burning coal to produce electricity.

"We're always looking for beneficial uses of this product," said Joel Pattishall, who is manager of Ash Operations for PP&L. "In addition, PP&L was able to save on disposal costs by putting this environmentally sound material in the old quarry."

After the illegally dumped trash was removed and disposed of properly, about 100,000 tons of Stabil-Fill were hauled to the site. Work, which began in early February, is expected to be completed the week of June 22.

"We believe this partnership has clearly demonstrated what can be accomplished as all parties put their expertise and strengths into the efforts to reach a common goal," Bittle said.