TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Protesters opposing a planned landfill in Nantou vowed Sunday to keep up pressure unless the developer withdraws the project or the county government halts its review.
The Alliance Against Setting Up Landfills in Puli Township said it would continue its campaign following an environmental impact assessment by the Nantou County Government for a proposed landfill by Yun Chieh Enterprise Corp. (允捷事業股份有限公司) in Qilin Village, per CNA.
The EIA committee asked the developer to submit additional information and to hold at least three public briefings in Puli Township before March 15. The assessment is scheduled to reconvene on April 15.
The alliance urged the county government to immediately suspend the review and reconsider the necessity of selecting a new site. It said protecting water resources should be a nonnegotiable bottom line for the county.
Led by Puli Township Mayor Liao Chih-cheng (廖志城) and county councilors from the ruling and opposition parties, the alliance mobilized more than 300 residents from 13 villages to protest outside the assessment venue, per Liberty Times. DPP Legislator Loh Meei-ling (羅美玲) and KMT Legislator Ma Wen-chun (馬文君) also joined the protest.
Opposition to the project centers on its location in the Nangang River watershed, a key water source for the area. Puli and neighboring Yuchi townships are Taiwan’s top water bamboo producers, accounting for about 90% of national output, per Our Island.
Bamboo farmer Huang Miao-chuan (黃苗娟) said water quality is critical for agriculture, noting that some farmers rely on groundwater while others draw from the Nangang River. Ashitaba farmer Tsai Nien-hua (蔡念樺) said residents’ heavy reliance on groundwater for farming and daily use means the landfill would pose serious risks.
Qilin Village Chief Huang Wu-yin (黃戊寅) expressed concern that hazardous waste, such as incinerator fly ash, could contaminate groundwater. Nantou Environmental Protection Bureau Director General Li Yi-shu (李易書) responded that stabilized fly ash is classified as general industrial waste and that landfills include safeguards to prevent groundwater pollution.
Taiwan Watch Institute Secretary-General Hsieh He-lin (謝和霖) warned that solidified fly ash could release toxic substances over time. He said that even with waterproof barriers, the risk of seepage cannot be entirely ruled out. Hsieh added that the site’s terrain naturally channels groundwater into the Nangang River, making it unsuitable for a landfill.
Farmer Cheng Kun-chuan (鄭坤全) said that while farmers have longstanding disputes with Taiwan Tea Corp, per AgriJourney News. over land use rights, they still believe the company generally acts in their interests. He said older generations of farmers were shocked by the landfill proposal, adding that the developers were “either malicious or foolish” to build a landfill in a watershed area.
Critics have also noted that Yun Chieh Enterprise Chair Hsu Ming-li (許銘栗) holds a senior position at Taiwan Tea Corp. When asked about links between the developer, Taiwan Tea Corp., and Sanyang Motor Co., Taiwan Tea said it was unable to immediately respond.
