Letter to the Editor of the Daily Corinthian

Letter to the Editor

It was surprising to see the front page story (of the 6/14/2008 Daily Corinthian) on the soil tests for the proposed landfill site on Forrest School Road since the residents were told the results wouldn’t be back for at least 10 more days. It is also very interesting the proposed landfill site supposedly passed the geological tests when soil maps from the National Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) and qualified soil scientists who were consulted about the site indicate the soil has limited to poor capability for landfills. Did the soil samples taken indicate the site has six different types of soil, some that have rapid permeability, making it a hazard for landfill placement?

To expand on the statements from the board meeting – One boring at 35 feet does not mean 30 acres are suitable for a landfill and areas where water was reached in only 13 feet, when excavated for garbage burial, will almost certainly allow runoff to reach the water table, opening the possibility of groundwater contamination. The presence of clay soil does not mean it’s deep enough to prevent garbage residue from leaching into the groundwater or that it meets permeability restrictions. Where do the soil tests demonstrate all 30 acres will meet the liner and depth to groundwater requirements?

The site has extremely steep slopes. How will you put a landfill in the side of a hill? Add the slope to the drainage issues, liner restrictions, and the site’s inclusion in the 100 year floodplain and the indications are that garbage may not be able to be safely dumped there without endangering the groundwater and the families who live within the vicinity and downstream of the landfill. How will the supervisors protect them from the many environmental dangers associated with this site?

The supervisors have also not told Alcorn County citizens how much it will cost to build the landfill in this location? At each board meeting, the supervisors have indicated the county will have financial difficulties meeting the obligations of road repairs, the Kimberly-Clark access road, and the new regional jail. Landfills are expensive to construct, if built to meet the safety standards required by law. Where will this money come from? Most landfills meet the construction costs by taking garbage from other counties. Will Alcorn County become a dumpsite for other counties or states like Walnut?

How will the supervisors ensure the safety of the local residents? No response has been made to indicate how they will make the roads safer or protect residents from the traffic issues related to this site. Bringing the roads up to the necessary weight bearing and safety standards will also require taxpayer dollars. Where will the money come from? Will they raise taxes? Or will they have a reckless disregard for the safety of our community? They have been publicly and privately warned of the safety risks involved. Where is their responsibility to provide for the safety of all Alcorn County citizens?

This is an Alcorn County problem and it will cost the Alcorn County taxpayers unnecessary tax dollars when there are other sites available that don’t have the negative environmental and economic consequences.

Even more importantly, unless the safety issues are adequately addressed, it may end up costing the lives of those who live or drive by the proposed site. Again, we ask Gary, Keith, Jeff R., Jeff P, and Jimmy Tate to look at the faces of your constituents and ask yourself if you are willing to risk their lives for a piece of trash? We ask the people of Alcorn County to ask your supervisor if he has weighed these risks and if he truly believes this is the safest, most cost effective decision for Alcorn County?

Lisha Hinton Hopper

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