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Tontitown Expansion
In July 2004, the company filed with the
ADEQ two permit modification applications that include detailed
design and operation plans for an expansion of the Tontitown
Landfill. The proposed expansion includes a lateral expansion
consisting of newly constructed landfill cells covering 55
acres already owned by Waste Management, which will add more
than 5 million tons of capacity. A separate filing also includes
a vertical expansion to provide for 1.5 million tons of capacity
over currently permitted areas. With the lateral and vertical
expansion, the Tontitown Landfill will still retain approximately
400 acres as buffer area around the landfill.
The expansion of the Tontitown Landfill is
designed to accommodate the significant growth in Northwest
Arkansas and the quality of life that accompanies this progress.
Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest-growing areas in
the country.
Even with the increased effort to improve
recycling, there is still a significant need for sufficient
landfill space. In 2005, the Tri-County Solid Waste District
projects that nearly 476,000 tons of waste will be generated
from Benton, Madison and Washington Counties.
- Benton County: 217,383 tons
- Madison County: 20,090 tons
- Washington County: 238,200 tons
Based on the projected volume of waste to
be generated in the Tri-County Solid Waste District, Waste
Management's proposed expansion will provide for 13 additional
years of capacity.
In 1997, a 12-acre expansion at the Tontitown
Landfill was fully permitted to add 2.4 million tons of capacity,
which now has less than two years of remaining capacity.
In July 2001, Waste Management submitted
to the Tri-County Solid Waste District a request for a certificate
of need to expand the landfill in order to meet the growing
waste disposal needs of Northwest Arkansas. In February 2002,
Waste Management submitted a pre-application to the ADEQ for
the expansion.
In June 2003, ADEQ held a public meeting
about the expansion plans and completed a site evaluation
of the Tontitown Landfill. After the site evaluation and reviewing
public comments, ADEQ determined the proposed expansion site
is suitable for a solid waste disposal facility.
The expansion and continued operation
of the Tontitown Landfill provide the following benefits:
- The initial lateral expansion is on property already owned
by Waste Management and is an appropriate land use for this
property.
- The subsequent vertical expansion provides additional
disposal capacity over currently permitted areas.
- The ADEQ permit process is comprehensive and invites public
participation.
- More than 95 percent of the municipal solid waste disposed
at Tontitown Landfill originates from Washington, Benton
and Madison Counties.
- Each year, the Tontitown Landfill invests more than $6.5
million in salaries and local goods and services in these
counties.
- In 2003, Waste Management paid more than $1.5 million
in fees to local and state governments.
- The Tontitown Landfill provides not only environmentally
safe waste disposal for customers, but also a convenient,
affordable and competitive option for both large and small
businesses and residents.
Waste Management has worked with Northwest
Arkansas to establish beneficial business and community partnerships.
This project will continue to provide social and economic
benefits for Northwest Arkansas.
ADEQ Permitting Process
The ADEQ process for reviewing a permit modification
application for an expansion is extensive and involves several
opportunities for public participation. See a summary of the
ADEQ Permitting Process.
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