Landfill/More questions, answers
Following last week's informative article on the proposed Subtitle D Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfill, subscribers have asked for answers to more questions.
Subscribers who have not thoroughly decided how they will vote Tuesday, mainly, are ones who asked for more information before considering whether to proceed with the application for a landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry.
Many questions were researched on the Internet, but it should be pointed out that it is a source which can be used to prove, or disprove, nearly any theory. Voters will need to use reasonable judgment.
It is hoped that there will be a large turnout so the election will be a mandate, not just the opinion of aa few.
Question: How long have Subtitle D regulations been in effect?
Answer: Since October 9, 1993. As the nation became increasingly aware of the environment and its fragility, local "town dumps" gave way to burying household garbage and then trying to isolate it by laying down thick layers of clay soil. Starting in the 1970s and continuing throughout the 1980s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded research which showed that burying household garbage in the ground could contaminate the groundwater. In 1991 the EPA issued new regulations — they became effective in October 1993. Those are the regulations still in use.
The former City of Marion landfill, or "town dump" on North Walnut Street was no longer used, but not properly closed by the owner. It is still there, though no longer in use by the city.
It is believed that former "city dump" probably presents a larger source of contamination problem than would a properly approved and maintained certified landfill meeting regulations today.
Modern landfills make a technological attempt at keeping the chemicals (leachate) and other environmentally hazardous materials from polluting ground water. Technology has grown much in the past 10 years — and will continue to grow in regard to landfills of the future.
Question — Would such a landfill be more or less dangerous than the storage of anhydrous ammonia tanks within the city limits? Are Subtitle D Municipal Solid Waste Landfills safe?
Answer — No record could be found of anyone being harmed by a properly operated landfill. Many have been hurt by leaking anhydrous ammonia.
Although the Subtitle D regulations of the early 1990s are light years ahead of what was previously used, it is not without its problems and flaws which no doubt will be addressed and kept up to date, technologically, by government regulations. Scientific research shows that Subtitle D landfills may eventually leak. The current landfill design will delay what was happening in the unlined landfills like the former city dump. Contamination of groundwater could result. But Marion draws city water from the federal Marion Reservoir, not from Mud Creek..
Question: Can hazardous waste go into the Subtitle D solid waste landfill?
Answer: Large quantities of hazardous waste that are typically stored in large drums cannot go to a Subtitle D landfill. However, household hazardous waste — things that we throw into our own trash bags — insecticides, pesticides, solvents, paints and paint products, oil, cleaning solutions, — and the list goes on and on — can get into the Subtitle D landfill by people who don't follow rules.
Question: What kind of leak detection systems do Subtitle D landfills have?
Answer: They have groundwater monitoring wells placed around the perimeter of the landfill. If a leak from the solid waste (not fluid) should occur, it would become leachate and show up in one of the groundwater monitoring wells There are no wells directly under the landfill, so if a leak might happen there, it could be a longer period of time before it is detected. Are they required to fix the leak? They are required to clean up the groundwater. City, state, and federal guidelines would be followed.
Question: How far above the water table must the bottom of the landfill be?
Answer: At least 5 feet. It is expected that it would be much greater than that at the proposed site. That question can not be answered until testing is done — if the election is approved. If testing results in problems, authority would not be given to proceed. No testing can be done without proper authority to proceed with the project. The public must trust the Marion City Commission in that regard. They can't get those answers unless they proceed.
Question: What would be the source of solid waste to be located in the landfill?
Answer: If, as proposed, the vast majority of the trash going into the landfill would come from Sedgwick County — Wichita. Marion County would be given free dumping privileges, but the Marion County share of the total volume would be small in comparison. It also is highly likely that the four-county region would decide to use the Marion landfill instead of having the expense of building and operating a county landfill site. The town of Marion would reap the most revenue from the proposed landfill, but the entire county would profit. The landfill would pay local, school, and county taxes as well as hire local people.
Question: Why would a solid waste company want to site a landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry?
Answer: It is said to be an ideal location next to a federal highway and surrounded by highly desirable clay soil. Sandy soil, like Harvey and Reno counties, is not desirable. The original concept to locate at Marion came from BFI following research on the soil. The Marion site also would save them money because they would not have to haul their trash as far as they are currently doing. They also are considering Harper County, which is closer to Wichita than Marion.
Question: What are some of the possible problems opponents give for locating a Subtitle D Landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry?
Answer: They speak of the possibility of blowing trash — they say there would be trash at the city ball parks — there would be trash at the cemetery — there would be trash at the Pizza Hut, at the True Value hardware store and the other businesses in the industrial park — there would be trash at John Deere — there would be trash at the State Highway Department However, a visit to landfills at Garden City, Lamar, Mo., and in the Chicago area found no such problem exists at those huge landfills. They also speak of truck traffic and road damage, noise, odor, decreased property values, and angry residents who live near the landfill. Last year while road construction was under, with more than 200 trucks daily going to the quarry site, nobody complained. The road (US-56) is not maintained by the county, it is a federal highway, The landfill would not be as noisy as is the present quarry, which has not had any complaints. In fact, the site can not be seen from the highway. Motorists (and most residents of Marion) are not aware of the quarry unless they have visited it. It can't be heard from the highway. Odor is in the mind of the beholder. The "lily ponds" at the south edge of Marion present a bigger odor problem. The landfill is more than two miles north of the football stadium. It could be a boon to the Pizza Hut as many of the drivers may elect to eat there.
Question: What are some of the possible benefits to Marion and its residents if a Subtitle D landfill is permitted at the Martin Marietta Quarry?
Answer: Money to provide for much needed infrastructure, recreation facilities, industrial expansion, provide jobs, pay taxes, and bring workers to live in Marion.
Question: What is financial assurance?
Answer: Some type of guarantee needs to be made that money will be available to cover all costs — up front costs, land acquisition, permitting, environmental impact studies, facility construction, operation and maintenance costs, capital costs, interest payments, "hidden costs," site closure costs, postclosure care, clean-up costs, law suit costs, retirement and health benefits for current employees. And it may be possible to get the solid waste firm to agree to help the county with the highly costly task of closing the former Marion County dump near Aulne. Also, perhaps some compensation could be made to close the present transfer station which warehouses solid waste near the downtown business district.
Question: Do the citizens of Marion really want a landfill right next to the city?
Answer: That question will be answered by the election Tuesday — if you vote.
