Representative Report
By: Representative Tim Feeley

   I received the following letter from Mr. Rick Hogan of the Kentucky Natural Resources Cabinet last week. Due to the importance of the subject matter, I have chosen to share it with all Oldham Countians in this week’s column.
 

Dear Representative Feeley,

I am writing to let you know how things are going at the Red Penn Landfill. When we last spoke in the spring of 2000, Koester Contracting Corporation, acting on behalf of the responsible parties, was preparing to initiate construction of an impermeable cover system over the 48-acre landfill. This work did in fact proceed according to plan and has been completed. 

Site preparation for the cover system actually commenced on May 24. Trees were initially cleared in areas where they had become established, then approximately forty thousand cubic yards of waste and soil were relocated to provide the proper grades. Finally, a layer of 3 to 4 inches of rock free borrow soil was placed over the landfill to provide a smooth bedding surface for the cover system components. Site preparation work was completed on August 4.

A subcontractor, Mid-America Lining Corporation, began installation of the geosynthetic cover system in early August. With favorable weather, the work proceeded quickly and was concluded on September 11. The placement of a final layer of 18 inches of clean soil soon followed along with drainage and erosion controls. A second subcontractor, Martin Landscaping, was on site in early October to seed, fertilize and mulch the entire site. A “wildlife friendly” seed mixture was used as suggested by Professor John Kielkopf, a nearby resident. 

The engineering firm that performed the remedial design, RMT, Inc., also provided full time construction oversight. Representatives of the Commonwealth, mainly myself, also observed activities at roughly one-week intervals. A final inspection by all parties was conducted on October 10 and RMT submitted the construction documentation report on December 28. This report has been placed in the Oldham County Library for public inspection. RMT and the Commonwealth concur that the construction was accomplished in conformance with the approved design. 

The only surprise during construction was the discovery of a small cache of crushed drums (about 40) in the soil borrow area, considerably away from the landfill proper. These drums and surrounding soils were removed and are scheduled for proper disposal. No other containers of hazardous substances were found within the landfill or borrow area. 

The landfill is now snow covered with a healthy stand of grasses and legumes beneath. Trees will be planted in the spring along the landfill’s southern boundary. I have already observed several forms of wildlife on and around the site. As expected, leachate outbreaks are still present at various locations around the perimeter of the cover system. If the $3 million remediation is effective, existing water levels within the landfill will drop and the flow of leachate will become minimal or cease entirely. We will monitor the quantity and quality of leachate over the next few years and evaluate whether additional remedial measures are necessary. Other environmental studies are planned to assess the quality of local groundwater and the health of Floyd’s Fork. Site maintenance and monitoring will continue into perpetuity. 

The Division of Waste Management will provide updates to public officials and the public in general when pertinent information becomes available. We have created a separate section for Red Penn on our Division web site. It can be found under Superfund Branch activities. Two public meetings have been conducted within the last year and another may be appropriate after we have had time to assess the effectiveness of the remedy. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the issues in more detail, please contact me at the Cabinet. 

Sincerely, 
Rick Hogan, 
Supervisor Federal Superfund 
 

 Although many may still question the decision to cap the Red Penn Landfill, it is encouraging that after more than twelve years of inaction, the state has taken steps to improve the ecology of the Floyd’s Fork watershed. Continual monitoring remains vital. I invite anyone interested to check the Cabinet’s website at “www.nr.state.ky/nrepc/dep/waste/programs” for additional details and updates.