New Palmer Landfill Proposal Up For Public Comment

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission will hear public comment Monday on a proposal to locate a new landfill in the Palmer area.

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Central Monofil Services has requested a permit for a so-called monofil to be used for construction debris only. It is Central Monofil’s second request for a permit. A year ago, the Mat-Su Borough planning commission turned down the company’s application.

Palmer resident Stephanie Nowers says the landfill permit is not a good idea. Nowers says certain types of toxins – such as benzene and arsenic – can leak out of landfills and could threaten local water sources.

“And what we are seeing in this proposal is not any sort of recognition of those impacts or the near source of water on this property,” Nowers said. “There’s an aquifer that feeds our area wells and water. And so we are really concerned about these materials getting into our water and we are not seeing protection from this company in terms of a liner or a ground water monitoring plan.”

The proposed debris dump is in a gravel pit near the Glenn Highway. Central Monofil owner Shane Durand did not return calls for comment.

In 2013, Central Monofil was issued three citations by the Mat-Su Borough for illegally dumping debris in the gravel pit, for operating without a permit, and for creating a public nuisance. But John Klapperich chair of the Borough’s planning commission, says the company has been working with the Borough since then on a new application.

“And this is a resolution that has never been brought to us, so anything in the past is not part of this application this evening,” Klapperich said.

The public hearing is set for 6 p.m. at the Mat-Su Borough chambers.