Waukesha County landfill redevelopment project causes concern for area environmentalist

 

WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Friday, Jan. 6, a waste management redevelopment project caused concern for a Waukesha County grassroots environmental organization.

Falls React II pushed back against a multi-year project aimed at modernizing storage for soil and waste.

The group said the project could cause health concerns for generations to come.

The site where the project is taking place is on a stretch of land coined a "superfund" site.

This site, as dedicated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is described as an area laced with hazardous toxins.

This is where the Waste Management of Wisconsin is digging with oversight by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

"Rather than go to a whole new location, they are just moving the waste from the old facility over to a new landfill, so long-term it’s a win-win for the environment," said Jim Delwiche Waste and Material Program Supervisor with the DNR.

But despite the optimistic outlook of the DNR, environmentalist and scientist like Penelope Waggoner said the project could cause significant health harm.

"If the dig down deep enough to where the toxins are ten million gallons, 1.3 million cubic yards, the air will also carry, in addition to the odor, it will carry toxins that are lethal," said Waggoner.

The project is projected to span the course of six to eight years.

The redevelopment is taking place inside a closed Menomonee Falls landfill and is meant to improve the waste management system for Waukesha County.

"Better protection of the environment the groundwater and proper waste disposal and treatment," said Delwiche.

The DNR said they've taken every precaution to reduce risk to the public.

"Volatile they will dissipate when they reach the atmospheric morsel in the winter months, there is less chance of migration, less chance of dust," said Delwiche.

However, these steps are not enough for Waggoner.

"There is no environmental reason to open this site it's only for profit for waste management," said Waggoner.