East Central Solid Waste Commission (ECSWC) proposes to expand its existing municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill near Mora. ECSWC is applying for a 10-year permit to add MSW capacity to its currently permitted landfill while conducting environmental review for the unpermitted areas of its landfill expansion. An additional 9.2 million cubic yards of capacity over 62.1 acres will be added with the proposed expansion capacity to what has already been permitted but not yet built.
Our role
The expansion of a municipal solid waste landfill of this size requires the project to go through the environmental impact statement (EIS) process. An EIS is a more extensive process with more detailed information about the project’s potential for significant environmental impacts. The EIS also provides project alternatives and identifies methods to reduce environmental effects. This process begins with the scoping environmental assessment worksheet (SEAW) and draft scoping decision document (DSDD) to inform what is going to be studied in the project’s EIS.
Comment on the draft documents
The public is encouraged to comment on draft documents for environmental review that are open for public comment for 30 days, starting Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.
A community meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Kanabec County Courthouse.
ESCWC will also have to apply to the MPCA for a certificate of need (CON) to expand its MSW capacity. As part of its application, the commission will have to show a need to take on more MSW in the current solid waste plans for the five counties that send waste to the landfill.
After submitting the CON application, the commission will then have to apply for a new solid waste permit, which will go on public notice for 30 days during the EIS and CON processes. The solid waste permit and CON processes will be completed in late 2026 or 2027, after the EIS process is complete.
Location
The proposed landfill expansion will occur on land currently owned by the ECSWC. The facility is on 226.5 acres of permitted solid waste property in Arthur Township approximately four miles southwest of Mora on the north side of State Highway 23. Landfill operations occur over approximately 160 acres within the 226.5-acre owned property. The landfill is located in a mostly agricultural area.
Project information
The landfill currently accepts MSW, industrial waste, and construction and demolition waste from the counties of Kanabec, Chisago, Isanti, Pine, and Mille Lacs. It will reach its permitted capacity by next year. Without additional capacity, area businesses and individuals will not have a local facility where they can send their waste.
The SEAW looks at these items to determine the scope of the environmental impact statement (EIS). Some key findings:
- The SEAW identified permits, contamination, hazardous materials, and wastes, as well as fish, wildlife, plant communities, and sensitive ecological areas as important. The MPCA determined the information provided in the SEAW is adequate for use in the EIS with only minor updates.
- The SEAW identified water resources, air quality assessment, greenhouse gas assessment, and traffic impact study as potentially significant issues. Information beyond what is in the SEAW will be included in the EIS.
- The DSDD provides a summary of the items to be reviewed in the EIS.
Next steps
The public is encouraged to comment on the SEAW and DSDD. Both are open for public comment for 30 days, starting Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.
Public meeting
The MPCA will host a public meeting for community members starting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at the Kanabec County Courthouse in Mora to discuss the project in detail. There will be an open house and brief presentation on the SEAW and DSDD.
After the public comment period ends, the agency will review all comments and create a final scoping decision document of items that will be reviewed as part of the EIS. As the project progresses through the EIS process, there will be multiple opportunities for public comment.
ECSWC plans to develop the new proposed landfill in phases following a typical landfill sequence with permitting followed by the construction, filling, and capping of individual cells. Construction activity will occur throughout the site's life as new cells become active or as completed cells are capped. ECSWC proposes to begin construction within the new sections in the next five years, contingent on operational needs, and anticipates that the project as a whole will extend the life of the landfill by 39 years.