Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Marshall, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an environmental review of a proposal to expand the Lyon County landfill. The Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) is now available for public review and comment through Jan. 31, 2008. Lyon County proposes to expand its existing municipal sanitary landfill located about 10 miles southwest of Marshall. It currently uses 40.6 acres in seven sections on a 320-acre site. The existing permitted capacity of about 2.4 million cubic yards is expected to be used up in less than a year. The expansion in capacity of more than 7.1 million cubic yards will add 81 years of service life. The expansion will be done in four phases beginning with a vertical expansion on the existing portion. Three subsequent phases will add 40.4 acres of surface area, for a total of 81 acres. Construction to current standards will help ensure protection of the surrounding environment. Some of the measures to minimize environmental impacts include prohibiting disposal of hazardous waste, a liner system to protect groundwater, stormwater management, control of gases generated in the landfill and groundwater monitoring. The landfill is used for waste disposal for residents and businesses of Lyon, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Yellow Medicine counties. The EAW describes the project and its potential environmental impact in areas such as water resources, wildlife, land and water use and air quality. Comments on the Lyon County landfill EAW should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2008 to Jessica Ebertz, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, or by fax to 651-297-2343. Written comments must include the following:
· A statement of your interest in the draft EAW;
· A statement of the action you wish the MPCA to take, including references to specific sections; and
· Specific reasons supporting your position. The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project, and to decide if an Environmental Impact Statement, a more comprehensive environmental review, is needed. Copies of Lyon County's EAW are available for review at:
· The MPCA's St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· The MPCA's web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
· MPCA Marshall office, 1420 E. College Dr., Suite 900
· Marshall-Lyon County Library, 301 W. Lyon St.
· Lyon County Courthouse, 607 W. Main St., Marshall Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 507-537-7146. Questions about the project should be directed to Jessica Ebertz at 651-296-8011, or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.