Star Tribune Fri, 15 Feb 2008 05:09:43 GMT
Citizen concerns continue over proposed landfill in West Lakeland
The site would hold "fly ash" from an Xcel plant; an impact statement now goes to the Pollution Control Agency. ... Then Xcel would need to seek permits from several government agencies. Washington County Commissioner Gary Kriesel, whose district includes West Lakeland Township, said there are still too many questions about the project. The Washington County Board of Commissioners submitted written feedback. "The No. 1 issue is what is the chemical composition of this fly ash," Kriesel said, noting that the conclusions in the draft version of the environmental impact statement are based on a "surrogate sample," and not an actual sample of the fly ash. MPCA officials say it's common to use surrogate samples in the environmental review process because there often aren't actual samples available. Kriesel also questioned whether creating a landfill at a mining site was the best way to handle the fly ash. "Are there existing facilities that are welcome to receiving this material for recycling or to break it down so it's manageable, rather than targeting aggregate mining sites in Washington County?" he asked. "It's important that they articulate why those other sites aren't feasible," he said. "We just can't risk our kids' future on not totally understanding what we're getting into." Elizabeth Kemling, a member of the Lakeland Shores City Council, said she's concerned about the potential for groundwater contamination if there were to be a leak at the dump. The proposed site is just across the freeway and up the hill from her community. "I don't want that thing around us," she said.
[[keywords: LandUse;PublicWorks;Metro;]]
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