Legal PR: The Simon Law Firm’s Environmental Lawyers Comment on APAC-Kansas Landfill

NEWS RELEASE

Feb. 10, 2010

The Simon Law Firm’s Environmental Lawyers Comment on APAC-Kansas Landfill

Questions remain after presentation to Overland Park residents about C&D landfill

ST. LOUIS–On Jan. 21, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment held a public meeting for Johnson County residents to discus health and quality-of-life issues posed by the APAC-Kansas/Reno Construction Co. construction and demolition landfill.

Despite the KDHE’s previous decision to require the landfill’s closure, state regulators now say that they want to keep the facility open.

At the January public meeting, state officials presented their proposal to keep the landfill open, as well as the amended permit.

According to environmental attorney Todd Hageman, the public documents raise several concerns:

• The assertion that a landfill will continue to produce hydrogen sulfide and methane for decades, regardless of whether it is closed or operating, is somewhat misleading. If less waste is added, the landfill will generate less gas.
• Allowing vegetation to be disposed of in a landfill that already contains sawdust, moisture and gypsum and has an existing gas problem may intensify hydrogen sulfide production.
• Although the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concluded that the landfill’s hydrogen sulfide emissions are not a public health risk, the hydrogen sulfide reading averages presented by state officials were all above the human odor threshold.
• Hydrogen sulfide production is generally lower in the winter months. Spring readings are a better indicator of whether hydrogen sulfide emissions are under control.

The KDHE will hold a second public meeting 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 11 in the commons area of Pleasant Ridge Middle School, 9000 W. 165th St. in Overland Park.

The Simon Law Firm is a St. Louis-based firm that represents people who have lost the use and enjoyment of their property or been hurt as a result of environmental and landfill hazards.

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