(WKYT) A proposed expansion of a landfill in Montgomery County has drawn concerns from residents over potential effects on livestock, the environment and public health.
Rumpke’s proposed 180-plus acre expansion was not on the agenda for Monday night’s Montgomery County Fiscal Court meeting, but it became the meeting’s focus after residents raised concerns during the public comment section.
Bruce Witt, of the Montgomery County Cattlemen’s Association, said his family has had the same farm for more than 100 years. He said the expansion will destroy valuable farmland, endanger farms and bring more predatory birds. He said the birds have killed three of his calves.
“They attack baby calves as they’re being born and kill them because they’re attracted to the landfill because of the food sources they get from that,” Witt said.
Dr. Don Hall, director of Bear Creek Research, took a water sample from less than one mile from the facility. He said it contains more than a natural amount of radioactive material that could be dangerous.
“Any type of radiation that’s in a higher level, is going to affect the plant life, the air, and the water,” Hall said.
Witt and other residents at the meeting echoed those concerns.
“You got to be concerned about your cattle drinking that water and then cattle get in the food chain, so where’s it going to end up? Maybe on your table,” Witt said.
Final tests are still pending on the type of radiation found. Hall said he does not wish to cause panic, but wants to raise a red flag.
“Extensive exposure can cause extensive damage. The radioactivity that we’re looking at right now, in these levels, 20 minutes is not good,” Hall said.
Rumpke is looking to expand its operation to increase its lifespan. Witt said the company should decrease its intake instead.
“You cut that in half you get 15, 20 or you keep cutting it you reduce it. Let’s just take trash from Montgomery County and few of the surrounding counties if we have to, but we shouldn’t be the dump for the entire state,” Witt said.
There is currently no timetable or set agenda for when a decision will be made on the proposed expansion.
