Dive Brief:
- Operators of Big Run Landfill in Boyd County, KY will downsize the facility and stop transporting pungent trash out of state — the result of a lawsuit brought by a citizens group against River Cities Disposal LLC, as well as local and state officials.
- River Cities Disposal, which yielded more than 1,000 complaints and was cited for dozens of violations since 2013, had promised to stop the out-of-state garbage transport by the end of 2016. Under a settlement, it will happen by July 1. Additionally, the agreement will result in about a 40% reduction in allowable waste diversion to the dump; a closed cap on current landfilled areas; banned dumping of sewage sludge except from Boyd or neighboring counties; and requirement for sludge pretreatment.
- Moving forward, changes will be made only with a modification permit from the county and notice to the community. And Boyd County Fiscal Court can inspect the landfill to verify compliance.
Dive Insight:
The agreement between the citizens, government, and landfill operator puts the control of the landfill in the hands of the county and those who live there, after years of complaints.
"It's a good day for the residents of Boyd County," said Kenny Messer, an Ashland area residents and board member of Citizens of Boyd County Environmental Coalition, the group that worked to shut down the dump and stop the trains.
A River Cities Disposal vice president, Scott Cunningham, said the company is "firmly committed to ensuring that Big Run conducts business in a responsible and responsive manner while continuing to have a positive economic impact on this region. This agreement represents significant changes to both current and future operations of the landfill and reflects the concerns and input of local residents, county leaders and state officials."
