Wicomico County Tackles Expanding Landfill Challenges with Proactive Measures

Salisbury, MD - The Wicomico County Executive Administration is taking proactive steps to address longstanding challenges at the county's landfill, focusing on expansion and long-term planning.

During the Greater Salisbury Committee's (GSC) Transformational Community Leadership (TCL) cohort's recent visit, participants were given a close look at the efforts underway to ensure sustainability and compliance.

Led by Adam Corry, Wicomico County's Director of Environmental Health and Acting Landfill Superintendent, the TCL cohort was provided with an in-depth overview of landfill operations. Corry outlined critical infrastructure updates and expansion plans aimed at alleviating capacity issues.

"The landfill is just 12 to 14 months away from reaching its current capacity," Corry explained during the visit. "But we are ahead of the curve. Design of the new cell is already underway, which will extend the life of the landfill by another three to four years."

The plans include a new cell location, visible from the top of the landfill, as part of a larger strategy for future growth. Additionally, a site adjacent to the existing landfill has been identified for the next phase of expansion.

Leadership Plays a Key Role in Addressing Challenges

Corry credited the Wicomico County Executive Administration's involvement and leadership as instrumental in overcoming the landfill's challenges. "Before joining Wicomico County, I worked for the Maryland Department of the Environment and was very familiar with the challenges this landfill faced-even before this administration took office," Corry said.

"From day one, this executive team has taken the situation seriously. Their support and commitment have been instrumental in getting us back into full compliance and on track to open the new cell on schedule. We've built a strong, capable team, and that's a direct result of having an administration that empowers its departments to solve problems and take action."

Long-term Solutions in Progress

County Executive Julie Giordano highlighted the administration's dedication to resolving landfill-related issues through strategic planning. "The challenges at the landfill didn't appear overnight-this has been an issue building for nearly a decade," Giordano said. "But over the last 24 months, my administration has been working diligently to put the right people in place, address compliance issues, and create a responsible path forward. I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made and the team leading the charge to ensure Wicomico County is prepared for the future."

Community Leaders Express Confidence in Current Efforts

The visit was organized as part of the GSC's TCL initiative, which aims to inform emerging community leaders about key infrastructure topics in Wicomico County. Mike Dunn, President and CEO of the Greater Salisbury Committee, praised the County Executive Administration's response to landfill challenges.

"The County Executive's Office clearly recognizes the scope and urgency of the issue, and they've put the right people in place to tackle it," Dunn said. "Our TCL cohort came away with tremendous confidence in Adam Corry, his team, and the entire administration's approach to meeting these challenges head-on."

He further emphasized the value of the TCL program as an educational initiative. "GSC is proud to host TCL every other year. It's a leadership cohort created by GSC that's designed to help emerging community leaders learn more about Salisbury and Wicomico," Dunn explained. "This visit to the landfill perfectly exemplified what strong, informed leadership looks like in action."