08-18-1986 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

3 City Council Minutes August 18. 1986 e Next. Mr. Woods introduced Mr. Jerry Schroeder. teacher and Right to Know area consultant. Mr. Schroeder stated that he felt NSP was using the landfill problem as bait when they say that there will be a 70% reduction in the amount of waste that goes into the landfill. Mr. Schroeder says that 25% reduction is more likely. He further stated that the ash will have to go into the landfill and even if the ash tests out to be too toxic. it will just be diluted and will go into the landfill anyway. He explained that even though the various counties to be involved wi1 be responsible for their own waste rejects. there is nothing to prevent them from contracting with a private landfill to dispose of the rejects and it potentially could still go into the Elk River Landfill. Mr. schroeder stated that NSP will be contracting with counties and municipalities for 1.500 tons' of solid waste per day at a cost of $35 to $55 per ton. With a 260 day a year operation processing 1.500 tons of garbage a day at an average of $45 per ton for the 20 year contract. Mr. Schroeder explained that amounted to more than 350 million dollars that NSP would take in. Mr. schroeder also stated that for every 1.8 million spent at the burning facility. only one job would be provided. and for every 15 million spent at the separtion plant. only one job would be provided. It Mr. Dave Briggs. a carpenter and resident of Elk River. discussed recycling as an alternative to burning and burying solid waste. Mr. Briggs reviewed a case history of a recycling program in New York City which was done at a 75% recycling rate using bottles. cans. paper. plastic. scrap food and wood. He concluded his presentation by stating that incineration would cause future problems and that recycling was more efficient and would cause no additional pollution. Leslie Davis of Earth Protector of Minneapolis. spoke to the group regarding the importance of the decision before the Council. He stated that he felt there is a choice of two paths for the Council to follow; (1) negotiation and compromise with so called "Mechants of Greed." or (2) to stop the dumping,burning and burying of municipal and commercial waste and look for other methods of dealing with the problem. Marilyn Schroeder of the Community Hospice. and resident of Elk River presented a petition with 500+ signatures of Elk River residents against the proposed RDF processing plant and burning faci1itiy at UPA. e Mr. Tom Woods discussed the dangers of dioxins and furons and quoted various reports written about emissions from solid water burning plants in Sweden. West Germany. Canada. and the United States. Mr. Woods further discussed the UPA plant operation in the 1970's and non- compliance because of black smoke emissions. Mr. Woods concluded his remarks by stating that he felt the City needs more time to research the issue before making a decision that will affect the health and safety of its residents. He further concluded that there is no consensus on information coming out and that until more is known about the long term effects of burning RDF. the project should not be allowed.