The Rowan County Fiscal Court recently held discussions about the county’s landfill.
The site, which is located near the 801 exit off I-64 west, has garnered odor complaints from nearby residents. For the last year, the Judge Executive’s office and the landfill’s owner, Waste Management, have been unable to work out a new host agreement after the old one expired. The lack of an up-to-date agreement means the county can’t properly enforce its regulations.
Rowan County Judge Executive Harry Clark said for the last year, terms of a new agreement have been back and forth, especially as Waste Management dealt with the consequences of citations for odor by the Kentucky Environmental Cabinet. He said if the two reach an agreement in the future, the county has some new requirements.
“Our input was, we wanted a daily cover each day and no tarps. They were currently allowed to cover with tarp. So, we know that’s not good practice, because we smell it every day,” said Clark.
Clark added the landfill is also in proximity to one of the county’s biggest economic draws, the Menifee Morgan Rowan County Industrial Park. He said its presence has hindered building developments in the otherwise attractive area.
“We’ve actually lost industry because of the landfill. And we understand we need a landfill and we know there’s going to be, occasionally, some odors. It is a dump, we get that,” said Clark. “We just want them to have better control over it, where doesn’t affect our economy and our residents’ quality of life. We’ve had complaints where they can’t even be outside because of the smell.”
Clark said an environmental attorney is working with the county to review Waste Management’s practices. While the county’s next steps will depend on that analysis, he said he aims to work alongside Waste Management and the Kentucky Environmental Cabinet to forge an agreement best serving the county and its residents. Clark added in the best scenario, once Waste Management enters an agreed order with the Environmental Cabinet, they will also be able to enter a proper franchise and host agreement to improve quality of life for Rowan County residents.