Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Michael Rafferty, (651) 297-8294 EIS Technical Contact: Kelly Garvey, (651) 296-7796 St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks public comment on the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Waste Management's proposed expansion of the Burnsville Sanitary Landfill. The EIS, an extensive environmental review, examines potential impacts to ground water and air quality, as well as economic and social impacts, and alternatives to the proposed project. Comments on the adequacy of the EIS must be submitted to the MPCA by July 18, 2005. The proposed project would expand the landfill's capacity by 6.2 million cubic yards. The expansion would add another 42.2 acres to the 145 acres that the landfill currently occupies. In addition, on some portions of the landfill, the height would be allowed to increase by 6.5 feet. The Burnsville Sanitary Landfill, owned and operated by Waste Management Inc., receives mixed municipal solid waste, and construction and demolition waste from the Twin Cities metro area. It is located on a 360 acre parcel in Dakota County. In 2004, the MPCA completed a Final Scoping Decision document, outlining issues to be examined in the EIS. Public comments will be restricted only to those issues related to the project. The final EIS is on the MPCA's Web site. To receive a copy of the document or for more information about the proposed plan, contact Kelly Garvey at (651) 296-7796, or toll-free at (800) 657-3864. Written comments about the adequacy of the final EIS must be submitted by July 18, 2005, to Kelly Garvey, Project Manager, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155, or by e-mail at kelly.garvey@pca.state.mn.us. Comments can be faxed to her at (651) 297-2343. The MPCA Citizens' Board will make the final decision about the adequacy of the EIS.