The opposing arguments
Even before the studies for the landfill sites have been completed and published, other studies analyzing why there should not be landfills on those sites have been made public. Though it is not known which parts of Grammatiko, Keratea or Koropi have been proposed for landfills or recycling centers, or on what criteria the sites were chosen, a number of studies rule out those entire areas, due to the existence of an archaeological site, or scrubland, or because the site is geologically or hydrologically unsuitable, or for serious «social reasons.» Citing these studies, many municipalities have expressed their categorical opposition to any plans. The communities of Polydendri, Kapandriti, Varnavas, Grammatiko, Kalamos, Malakasa, Afidnes, and the municipalities of Aghios Stefanos, Marathon and Oropos – nearly all of northeastern Attica – as well as the municipalities of Koropi, Keratea, Paeania, Markopoulo and Spata are all opposed to the plans. There is also a study by Eleftherios Lekkas, assistant professor of geology at Athens University, which states that the choice of site «could be described as a time bomb, because if there is a technological accident, which is not rare, the water table will be irreparably damaged.» Residents of Grammatiko cite a study by Akindinos Kelepertzis, a professor of geochemistry at Athens University, which states that the area «does not meet the requirements,» and an earlier report which mentions «the existence of an active fault.» A study on Kapandriti by Dimitris Papanikolaou, professor of geology at Athens University, notes, «This choice is surprising» because it is very likely that the rubbish from the proposed site will reach Lake Marathon, as well as being situated on the eastern edge of the Avlona-Malakasa fault. As for Keratea, the basic argument against it is that the area in question abuts the Ovriokastro archaeological site.
