Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-8108
Detroit Lakes, Minn. ― The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is accepting comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed expansion of the municipal solid waste incinerator in Perham. The comment period is open through Jan. 16, 2013. A public meeting on the draft EIS will be held Jan. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Perham City Hall, 125 Second Ave., N.E.
Comments or questions on the draft EIS should be directed to Kevin Kain, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155; email kevin.kain@state.mn.us; phone 651-757-2482.
The Perham Resource Recovery Facility is operated by the Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority through a joint powers agreement between Becker, Otter Tail, Todd and Wadena counties. The authority is proposing to add an additional waste heat boiler, additional air pollution control equipment and a material-recovery facility. The expansion would increase the municipal solid waste processing capacity of the facility from 116 to 200 tons per day. The facility generates steam that is used by businesses located nearby.
The draft EIS addresses potential impacts related to noise and traffic, as well as economic and social impacts. It also contains an air quality and human health risk assessment.
A copy of the draft EIS is available on the MPCA’s Environmental Assessment Worksheets and Environmental Impact Statements webpage.
The Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority voluntarily proposed an EIS for this project. The purpose of an EIS is to evaluate and disclose information about the significant environmental effects of a proposed project. It is not intended to justify a project; rather, the MPCA will use information in the EIS as a guide in issuing or denying permits or approvals for the project and in identifying measures necessary to avoid or mitigate adverse environmental effects.
