The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today released its environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for the proposed expansion of Crow Wing County’s existing mixed municipal solid waste landfill northeast of Brainerd. Crow Wing County is proposing to increase the site north and west of the existing landfill by 48.3 acres, increasing its capacity by nearly 4 million cubic yards and extending its life by approximately 15 years. The public is invited to comment on the EAW through July 31, 2025.
The expansion will include a composite liner, leachate collection, leak detection, environmental monitoring, stormwater management, and landfill gas collection systems. The landfill currently accepts mixed municipal solid waste from county residents and businesses. Expanding it will help to meet future solid waste disposal needs of the county.
Those who wish to comment on the EAW should consider the EAW’s accuracy, potential impacts from the project that warrant further investigation, or the need for an environmental impact statement. The EAW reviewed potential impacts to air, local geology, soils, groundwater, surface water, and other potential environmental impacts. Some key findings include:
- The facility has an existing groundwater monitoring network in place that will continue to monitor groundwater quality as part of the solid waste permit, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in select wells.
- An underlying liner system with leachate collection is in place in all existing sections of the landfill. A new composite liner with leachate collection will be installed in future cells as they are constructed.
- PFAS sampling in leachate generated from the landfill is being completed with the intent of researching PFAS management.
- Landfill gas collection will be installed as the project develops, allowing for the capture and flaring of methane gas.
Construction will be phased as new landfill cells are needed for waste disposal within the county, with the next cell construction anticipated in 2027. Crow Wing County has provided solid waste disposal at the site since 1974 and in the existing landfill since 1991.
The public can review the draft EAW and submit public comments by visiting the Smart Comment portal on the MPCA website or by mail to:
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
c/o Chris Green
520 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155
After the public comment period is complete, the agency will review all comments and determine whether additional environmental review will be necessary. If the agency determines there is no need for additional environmental review, the project will proceed through permitting.