Freeway Landfill Dilemma

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency held an informational meeting on November 12 at the Burnsville City Hall to go over the status of the Freeway Landfill property.

The problem is that monitoring shows there are toxic levels above the safe standards.  This property is close to the Minnesota River and a municipal drinking water supply. The site would not be able to get a landfill permit today. The property is privately-owned and the owner seems to be unwilling to help pay for the cleanup nor does he want to make arrangements to give the property over to the state as has happened in some instances.  As of right now, if the state and the owner do not come to some resolution by December 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will take over  They would identify the primary groups responsible for the contamination and make them pay for the cleanup.  That could mean numerous lawsuits and take years.

The recommended action by the MPCA is estimated to take five years and cost about  $64 million.

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