Landfill questions answered
Due to a great deal of misinformation, and lack of information, in regard to the controversial Subtitle D solid waste landfill issue at Marion, the following information was compiled by state and local officials.
It is being presented to the public as factual information without emotional bias. It is hoped the reader will study the information carefully and be better prepared to vote.
Over the past few years the City of Marion has from time to time had discussions with Waste Connections, Inc. concerning the possibility of siting a Subtitle D solid waste landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry site. On March 5 the City of Marion will conduct a non-binding advisory election to obtain citizen input regarding this subject.
The polling place will be Emmanuel Baptist Church and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The question will be stated on the ballot as follows:
"Should the City of Marion proceed to site a Subtitle D Solid Waste Landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry site?"
Yes ______ No ______
RESULTS OF THE ADVISORY BALLOT QUESTION ARE NOT BINDING UPON THE MARION CITY COMMISSION.
The following represents the most frequently asked questions concerning this topic. Responses to these questions are included.
Question: Is the Martin Marietta Quarry site in the City limits of Marion?
Answer: On Oct. 18, 2000, the City Commission took action to annex a parcel of property that connected the City of Marion to the Martin Marietta site. On Nov. 1, 2000, the City Commission then took action to annex two parcels of property where the Martin Marietta Quarry is located. These annexations were made pursuant to Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) 12-520(a)(7), as amended.
This annexation has been challenged and is currently being litigated.
Question: Does the City of Marion have the authority to site a Subtitle D landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry site?
Answer: Kansas Statute 65-3405 requires each county of the state to develop a solid waste management plan. The statute allows two or more counties to develop and adopt a regional plan in lieu of separate county plans. Marion County has joined with McPherson, Harvey, and Dickinson Counties to create the Central Kansas Solid Waste Authority. This Authority has accepted the Marion County Solid Waste Management Plan, developed in 1996 and updated in 1999, as a component of the regional plan.
A representative from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) stated at the Feb. 5 public meeting that KDHE would not act on an application to site a landfill without local approval. At present, local approval would be needed from the Marion County Commission and the Central Kansas Solid Waste Authority.
Kansas Statute 65-3405 and Administrative Regulation 28-29-78 also allows a County to consent to let a city "
Question: Why would a solid waste company, such as Waste Connections, Inc., want to site a landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry?
Answer: There is a pit already excavated and the site provides ongoing expansion possibilities as Martin Marietta excavates additional land. Lastly, the site is conveniently located adjacent to main highway routes (not on County roads) for the transportation of solid waste within a reasonable distance of metropolitan areas.
Question: What would be the source of solid waste to be located in the landfill?
Answer: The primary source would be solid waste contracted by the landfill owner/operator. Residents of Marion County also would be able to use the landfill at no charge.
Question: Is the Martin Marietta Quarry site an environmentally safe site for a landfill?
Answer: This question can not be satisfactorily answered until an independent environmental/hydrogeologic study can be accomplished. Such a study has not been accomplished as of this date. The issue of an independent environmental/hydrogeologic study was considered in the preliminary discussions that were conducted in the fall of 2000 with a task force from the City of Marion and a representative from Waste Connections. It was determined at that time that any decision by the City of Marion to proceed with negotiations to site a landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry site would be subject to such an independent study. Of course, if the site proves to be unsafe, the City of Marion would no longer be interested in siting a landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry site.
Question: Who oversees and assures the safe operation of a Subtitle D Solid Waste Landfill?
Answer: The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has direct regulatory responsibility for oversight of Subtitle D landfills in Kansas. In addition, the city of Marion in its preliminary discussions with Waste Connections, Inc. received its concurrence that a full-time individual would be hired to provide ongoing inspections to assure compliance with Subtitle D landfill regulations. Waste Connections, Inc. has agreed to pay the salary of this individual.
Question: What are some of the possible benefits to Marion and its residents if a Subtitle D landfill were to be sited at the Martin Marietta Quarry site?
Answer: There would be no costs to the City to develop the site or to maintain connecting roads. Host fees to the City have been tentatively negotiated at $1.75 per ton of solid waste or a total of approximately $320,000 to $420,000 per year of operation (final figures would be dependent upon which landfill company would be operator). Free usage would be provided to all Marion County Residents. There also would be property tax revenues to the City, County, and School District on all equipment and property. Six to eight new jobs would be brought to the community.
This revenue would be good for economic development because of the resulting lower taxes for new business/industry and Marion residents. The revenue also will help provide continuous repairs and upgrades for City water, sewer, electrical, sidewalks, streets, and lighting, thus lower taxes. The City also will have a say in the cost of handling its trash now and in the future.
Existing businesses would enjoy the cost-effective means of disposing of its solid waste as well as attracting new manufacturing businesses that produce a large volume of non-hazardous waste materials. It may be another factor or reason for a business to stay or come to Marion.
Question: What would be the life of a possible landfill at the Martin Marietta Quarry site?
Answer: It is projected that sufficient space is available for approximately 20 to 25 years of operation.
Question: What happens to the landfill at the end of the 20 to 25 years?
Answer: The landfill company is responsible for closure of the landfill and overseeing it during post closure. By law the landfill company is legally responsible for any contamination for a minimum of 30 years after closure.
Question: If the City were to decide to host a Subtitle D landfill and the necessary approvals were obtained, how long would it be before a landfill could be in operation?
Answer: It takes approximately three years to site a Subtitle D landfill.
