Dive Brief:

• The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is allowing landfills in the Berkeley County, W. Va., area to accept Marcellus Shale natural gas waste.

• Local officials say they were not told about the decision, which is causing concern in the community about health issues and contaminants.

• The DEP has said that bringing drilling waste to approved waste facilities is mandated by the 2011 Horizontal Well Control Act and is the best solution in regard to the environment.

Dive Insight:

A member of the Berkeley County council, Elaine Mauck, said, "We do not need to be a superfund and super hazardous area." In an effort to stop the radioactive materials from being accepted, she is encouraging residents to voice opinions about the decision to the West Virginia Public Service Commission.