The Delaware Environmental Appeals Board denied a challenge to the DNREC approval of a plan to remediate the site of the former Vlasic pickle plant south of Millsboro.
A written opinion explaining the five-member board’s unanimous vote May 13th was released Tuesday. The decision helps pave the way for South Korean-owned Allen Harim Foods to turn the site into a chicken processing facility.
Environmental and local neighborhood groups challenged DNREC’s decision to remediate the brownfield site, claiming the chicken plant would further pollute an already contaminated site. They also questioned the environmental assessment reports that informed the agency’s approval of the redevelopment.
The Appeals Board’s decision said that some of the pollution cited by the plan’s opponents likely came from their own neighborhoods.
“This is a very positive step, but it is just one of many necessary to complete the purchase of the property,” said Allen Harim CEO, Steven A. Evans in a statement. “We appreciate the support of legislators in Sussex County and in State government, as well as the commitment of the more than 200 growers across Delmarva who produce the highest quality traditional, antibiotic-free and Halal-blessed chicken. We are squarely focused on continuing to grow our business across the county, the state and the region.”
There is still another challenge to the plant pending - a case in Delaware Superior Court challenging the Sussex County Board of Adjustment’s approval of the new Allen Harim plant.
The plant is expected to employ 700 people when it opens in November of this year and is supported by the Markell administration.