Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, (218) 855-5001 Technical Contact: Debra Moynihan, (651) 296-8420 Brainerd, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Statement on a proposal to expand the Elk River landfill in Sherburne County. The draft EIS will be open for public comment until Dec. 1. The MPCA will host a public informational meeting to discuss the project on Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Uppertown Conference Room at the Elk River City Hall. The draft EIS is an in-depth analysis of the proposed project and how it might affect the environment. It covers social and economic influences, as well as environmental impact, and looks at alternate ways to proceed with the project. The proposed expansion will consist of developing approximately 74 acres currently used by a gravel mining company, located immediately south of the existing landfill property. The proposed project will provide about 15-million cubic yards of additional disposal capacity. That extra capacity is expected to provide for continued landfill operations for 16 to 20 years, depending on incoming waste volumes. Comments on the proposed project should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, to Debra Moynihan, MPCA, Regional Division, Environmental Review and Operations Section, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194. Comments can also be e-mailed to debra.moynihan@pca.state.mn.us, or faxed to (651) 297-8676. The draft EIS is available for review at:
· MPCA St. Paul Office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· MPCA Brainerd Office, 7678 College Rd., Ste. 105, Baxter
· Elk River Public Library, 413 Proctor Ave.
· Elk River City Hall, 13065 Orono Parkway
· Sherburne County Government Center, 13880 Hwy. 10, Elk River
· MPCA Web site at hhref="/news/eaw/index.html.
Telephone inquiries related to this project should be directed to Debra Moynihan at (651) 296-8420, or toll-free at (800) 657-3864.