DEMOLITION LANDFILL UPDATE

by Don Scouten

PROBABLY MOST OF YOU ARE AWARE that George Young has applied for a permit to operate a demolition landfill at his gravel pit in Hubbard County about a quarter mile north of County 12 (lower Ten Mile Lake Road extension in Hubbard County) and adjacent to Cass County and the Foothills State Forest. Many of us near the landfill are concerned about the potential environmental problems associated with this landfill. We have petitioned MPCA for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and MPCA is currently evaluating whether an EAW should be required. The proposed landfill is about 60 feet above the water table and sits on very permeable sand and gravel so that any pollution would likely seep into the ground water within days. Since the general water flow is to the west toward Steele and Shingobee Lakes and on into Leech Lake by way of Shingobee River, Ten Mile Lake itself is unlikely to be directly affected.

MR. YOUNG HAS APPLIED for permission to deposit 10,000 cubic yards of debris annually. The likeliest transport route would be Lower Ten Mile Lake Road. One estimate indicates that this would require 17 truck trips per day during the May 15 to November 15 season. Needless to say, the resulting traffic and dust concern us. Mr. Young's application was submitted on March 18 and the MPCA responded on April 29 with a letter requesting 8 additional items to complete the permit application and 8 comments to be addressed for technical adequacy. Mr. Young was given 60 days to respond and we are now waiting to see what his response will be. I have copies of most of the documents and will be glad to share them with anyone who is interested. Those of us who live near the site would welcome any help and/or recommendations from Ten Mile Lake Association members. You can contact me for more information (or offers of assistance). Mike Cool, an Akeley resident and Williams Lake shoreowner, is also a good resource and is well informed about the current state of the application.

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