Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Stephen Mikkelson (218) 855-5001 Technical Contact: William Lynott (651) 296-7794 Brainerd, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks public comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed expansion of the Morrison County Landfill near Little Falls, Minnesota. The draft EAW is open for public comment from May 22 through June 21, 2006. The proposed project includes a 2.5-acre expansion on the west side of the existing landfill and a 12.5-acre expansion on the north side. The expansion will extend the projected life span of the landfill nearly 20 years, based not only on current waste volumes of about 50,000 cubic yards per year but on an anticipated 8 percent annual increase in future volumes. The EAW, a preliminary environmental review looking at how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment, is open for a 30-day public review and comment period. Comments on the proposed project should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on June 21, 2006, to William Lynott, MPCA Operations and Environmental Review Section, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, or via e-mail to william.lynott@pca.state.mn.us or by fax to (651) 297-2343. The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more comprehensive environmental review) is needed. Copies of the EAW are available for review at:
· MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· MPCA Web site at hhref="/news/eaw/index.html
· Kitchigami Regional Library, 310 2nd St. North, Pine River
· Carnegie Library, 108 3rd St. NE, Little Falls
Citizens can request a copy of the EAW by contacting Mary Osborn at (651) 297-8510. Telephone inquiries related to this project should be directed to William Lynott at (651) 296-7794, or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.