Thursday, March 13, 2008

Commission Moving Ahead With Expansion Of Demo Landfill

   During a business meeting Thursday Lawrenceburg leaders were given a progress report regarding expansion of the city’s demolition landfill, by a representative of the engineering firm engaged in connection with the project.

   Engineer Garland Stone addressed the Lawrenceburg Board of Mayor and Commissioners during their 10:00 a.m. meeting to provide an update on the project.

   Stone oversaw the construction of the city’s new demolition landfill around two years ago, after the former landfill site was filled to capacity. That landfill, which was opened around one year ago, has a life expectancy of 3 years. Stone advised commissioners Thursday to proceed with the process of permitting a new site for expansion, since the process takes between 1 ½ and 2 years.

   The city acquired a twenty-nine acre tract of land for the current landfill, located on Wildcat Ridge, through eminent domain proceedings. The property was owned by the former Murray, Inc., company, which no longer exists. This made it relatively simple for the city to obtain the property.

   The total 187 acre tract is situated adjacent to a former Murray landfill, classified as a Superfund and under the constant supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA ordered a cleanup and containment of the site some years ago when it was found to be leaking chromium into the environment.

   Stone pointed out Thursday that testing has been conducted on the areas the city wishes to obtain. He indicated that a very small amount of chromium was found to be seeping into groundwater in one area, but not into Shoal Creek. He indicated that the leakage is minimal and not significant enough to cause a problem. Should the city move ahead with obtaining the land, however, he explained that they will document all levels, in the event that there is some problem in the future. Any cleanup or containment required at that point, he said, would fall under the jurisdiction of the EPA. Stone stated, “The bottom line, though, is that we don’t have a problem.”

   Stone recommended that the commission consider obtaining the remaining 158 acres of the former Murray property. He stated that obtaining the property would give the city ten times the landfill area, with a life expectancy of between 25 and 35 years.

   Since ownership of the property has changed, should the owner not wish to sell the property, city leaders would be required to invoke their right of eminent domain once again. The courts would then be tasked with determining a fair compensation.

   Mayor Keith Durham reminded the commission that the city’s effort to permit the current landfill was delayed, forcing them to ship debris to Pulaski. “That cost the City of Lawrenceburg about $200,000,” he stated. “I think we need to continue on with this project now before we run into that type of expense again.”

   Stone indicated the next step would be to work out the ownership issue. Afterwards, they would be able to move forward with the design phase.

.

.