Glen Lily Landfill

Last updated
Glen Lily Landfill
Glen lily landfill entrance.jpg
Entrance to the Glen Lily Landfill site.
USA Kentucky location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Kentucky
Alternative namesGlen Lily Road Landfill, Bowling Green Old Landfill, Curtis Peay Landfill, PowerPlex Park
General information
Address5301 Glen Lily Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101
Coordinates 37°02′10″N86°32′00″W / 37.036067°N 86.533315°W / 37.036067; -86.533315
Elevation750 ft (229 m)
Owner City of Bowling Green
Superfund site
Geography
County Warren County
State Kentucky
Information
CERCLIS IDKYD981019839
Responsible
parties		 City of Bowling Green
List of Superfund sites

The Glen Lily Landfill is an inactive municipal solid waste landfill located in unincorporated Warren County, Kentucky northwest of the city of Bowling Green. The landfill accepted residential and industrial waste from 1975 to 1979; [1] after being idled, carcinogenic pollutants were found to be leaching into nearby groundwater. [2] Remediation of the facility was administered as a Superfund site by the state of Kentucky. [3] And the landfill STINKS

Contents

Name

While in operation the landfill was known as Curtis Peay Landfill. [4] [5] As of 2020, it is most often referred to as Glen Lily Landfill in City of Bowling Green documents. In media reports, it is often cited as Glen Lily Road Landfill, and in some United States Environmental Protection Agency documentation it is known simply as Bowling Green Old Landfill. [6]

History

In late 1974, the City of Bowling Green purchased two parcels land of in a rural, unincorporated area of Warren County for the purposes of creating a landfill to be used by the city's municipal garbage collection program. The land, situated near the intersection of Glen Lily Road and Price Chapel Road was zoned for agriculture. Opposition from local residents concerned over traffic on Glen Lily Road resulted in garbage deliveries taking a more circuitous route along Morgantown Road and Price Chapel Road. [7] The landfill was placed atop a hill over a karst feature. Later dye studies showed that the landfill property sits atop two groundwater drainage basins: one flowing to the east towards Barren River, and another, on the land primarily under the landfill, flowing to the west towards Westbrook Creek, a tributary of Gasper River. [8] The landfill, reported to cover 30 acres of the 270-acre site, [3] opened for operation in 1975 and accepted both residential and industrial waste.

The landfill was full by 1979 and was idled by the City of Bowling Green which had opened a new landfill in an abandoned strip mine in nearby Butler County. [1] As early as 1979 it was noted that the landfill had accepted waste drums without examining their contents. [9] In 1981, the landfill joined Kentucky's priority list of Superfund sites. [10] [11]

In September 1985, a state inspection determined that the landfill contained pollutants and ordered the City of Bowling Green to remediate the site. [12] in 1986, six chemicals, including carcinogens, [2] were found to be leaching from the site into nearby groundwater. [3] The chemical phenol was among the pollutants identified. [4]

in 1989, eight test wells were drilled to monitor the site. [13] Twenty-one organic pollutants on a Federal priority list were found at that time. An additional two organic pollutants not on the list were also identified. [12] That same year, the Kentucky Cabinet of Natural Resources refused a request from the City of Bowling Green to pay for remediation; however, the Cabinet agreed with the City's plan to attempt to identify customers responsible for disposing of toxins which ended up at the site. Eventually the City identified thirty-one potential polluters.. [2] As late as 1989, the City was applying a deodorant to cover the smell of decaying garbage in the landfill. [12] Also in 1989, the City instituted a surcharge on garbage collection bills to pay for landfill remediation [3] which by 1990 were estimated at $3 million. [2] The city expected to be monitoring the site until 2019. [13]

At some point the landfill was capped with a clay cap which was found to be insufficient. [3] By 1992, the initial cap had been replaced with an impermeable plastic membrane which itself was covered by a clay cap. [3] The City also installed a system to collect landfill leachate into three concrete storage tanks which are monitored and drained as needed. The collected leachate is removed from the site and treated by a contractor. [14] In 1997, responsibility for the site was transferred from the state back to the City. [10]

At some point in the 1990s, escaping methane gas produced as a result of decomposition of organic materials in the landfill resulted in a fire. In order to better control the escaping gasses, 128 passive gas vents were installed at the site. [3] Another fire of unknown origin erupted near the landfill's methane vents in March 2007. This grass and brush fire required all nine of Warren County's volunteer fire departments to respond. [5] In 2008, the City received a proposal that escaping methane be captured for commercial use. [15]

in 2010, it was noticed that the leachate tanks were filling faster than expected. A study found that stormwater retention basins at the site had not been properly lined and were leaking into the leachate tanks. [3] A $446.790 project extended the lining to eliminate most of the stormwater seepage significantly reducing the frequency at which the tanks needed to be drained. The City paid for the project upfront but believed it could be reimbursed by state funds. [16] [17] Stormwater, which is not required to be treated, continues to be discharged from six points along the landfill into unnamed tributaries of Westbrook Creek. [14] Groundwater monitoring was eliminated in 2010, and stormwater monitoring was reduced in 2015. [3]

In 1991, the City borrowed nearly $3 million to create a Landfill Closure Special Revenue Fund to fund maintenance of both the Glen Lily and Butler County landfills. As of 2010, $1.36 million remained in the fund and the city expected to be responsible for both landfills until 2034. [18] The cost of landfill maintenance was a primary reason for the City to exit the municipal garbage service. [19]

PowerPlex Park

On January 7, 2020, the Bowling Green City Commission voted to approve a lease of the landfill property to organizers of a powersports event to be held May 16-17, 2020. The $3,000 lease is for the two day May event with access before and after the event for preparation and cleanup to be allowed at the City's discretion; however, it was reported that the organizers were working with the City to permanently acquire the landfill property from the city for a nominal fee and convert into a racing facility known as PowerPlex Park which organizers touted as a "Disneyland of motorsports." Organizers plan to build multiple race courses and permanent structures at the site to accommodate 20,000 event attendees. On March 2, 2020, local residents held a public meeting to discuss the proposed use for the landfill; many attendees expressed concerns with event noise, the state of transportation infrastructure in the area, and the environmental impact of the facility. Residents also expressed concerns at the March 3, 2020 meeting of the Bowling Green City Commission. As of March 2020, no vote on the proposed deal to transfer the land to event organizers has been scheduled. [20] [18] [21]

Other Uses

The landfill site also hosts a communications tower used by the City of Bowling Green, [22] and the site continues to be used by the City as a dump site for storm debris. [20] Notably, portions of the site were used as a dump site for debris from the 2021 Bowling Green tornadoes. [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stormwater</span> Water that originates during precipitation events and snow/ice melt

Stormwater, also written storm water, is water that originates from precipitation (storm), including heavy rain and meltwater from hail and snow. Stormwater can soak into the soil (infiltrate) and become groundwater, be stored on depressed land surface in ponds and puddles, evaporate back into the atmosphere, or contribute to surface runoff. Most runoff is conveyed directly as surface water to nearby streams, rivers or other large water bodies without treatment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landfill</span> Site for the disposal of waste materials

A landfill site, also known as a tip, dump, rubbish dump, garbage dump, or dumping ground, is a site for the disposal of waste materials. Landfill is the oldest and most common form of waste disposal, although the systematic burial of the waste with daily, intermediate and final covers only began in the 1940s. In the past, refuse was simply left in piles or thrown into pits; in archeology this is known as a midden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toxic waste</span> Any unwanted material which can cause harm

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leachate</span> Any liquid that, in the course of passing through matter, extracts soluble or suspended solids

A leachate is any liquid that, in the course of passing through matter, extracts soluble or suspended solids, or any other component of the material through which it has passed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Municipal solid waste</span> Type of waste consisting of everyday items discarded by the public

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munisport</span>

Munisport Landfill is a closed landfill located in North Miami, Florida adjacent to a low-income community, a regional campus of Florida International University, Oleta River State Park, and estuarine Biscayne Bay.

Landfill gas monitoring is the process by which gases that are collected or released from landfills are electronically monitored. Landfill gas may be measured as it escapes the landfill or may be measured as it is collected and redirected to a power plant or flare.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moyer's Landfill</span>

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The G&H Industrial Landfill is a Superfund site located in Shelby Charter Township near Utica, Michigan. The 60-acre (24-hectare) landfill, with about 10 to 20 acres of adjacent property, operated as a waste oil recovery facility from 1955 to 1967. From 1955 to 1974 the site was used as an industrial and municipal landfill. Contaminated soil, surface water, and groundwater with hazardous chemicals have been left behind as a result of the disposal of waste solvents, waste oil and paint sludge. Operation and maintenance activities are ongoing following the cleanup.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Companies will monitor landfills". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky. 2001-12-16. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "County denies polluting landfill". The Courier-Journal . Louisville. 1990-10-09.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Eggers, Caroline (2019-03-04). "Unused for decades, city still monitors landfill facility". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  4. 1 2 "Six chemicals are found in Bowling Green landfill". The Courier-Journal . Louisville. Associated Press. 1986-07-10.
  5. 1 2 Speakman, Burton (2007-03-26). "Landfill blaze requires all county fire departments". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  6. ↑ "Bowling Green Old Landfill". United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  7. ↑ "Bowling Green board approves landfill site". The Courier-Journal . Louisville. Associated Press. 1974-10-30.
  8. ↑ Ray, Joseph A.; Currens, James C. (1998). "Mapped Karst Ground-water Basins in the Beaver Dam 30 x 60 Minute Quadrangle" (PDF) (Map). Mapped Karst Ground-water Basins in the Beaver Dam 30 x 60 Minute Quadrangle. Cartography by Terry Hounshell. Kentucky Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  9. ↑ Carter, Cal (1979-11-27). "When it comes to accepting waste. safeguards at landfills are few and far between". The Courier-Journal . Louisville.
  10. 1 2 Thomason, Andrew (2010-01-07). "State backlog a cost for BG". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  11. ↑ Minor, Robyn (2014-01-06). "City still monitors old Glen Lily Road landfill". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  12. 1 2 3 "Landfill tests confirm seepage of pollutants into groundwater". The Courier-Journal . Louisville. Associated Press. 1989-07-27.
  13. 1 2 "8 wells to be monitored at landfill". The Courier-Journal . Louisville. 1989-04-19.
  14. 1 2 Department for Environmental Protection (2014-02-19). Fact Sheet Glen Lily Rd Sanitary Landfill (Report). Energy and Environment Cabinet. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  15. ↑ Gaines, Jim (2009-04-22). "SNAP grants sliced in half". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  16. ↑ Thomason, Andrew (2010-10-04). "Landfill on city leaders' agenda". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  17. ↑ Thomason, Andrew (2010-10-06). "City leaders prep for winter weather". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  18. 1 2 Swietek, Wes (2020-01-06). "Commission to vote on lease for large powersports even". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  19. ↑ "Candidate's claim that garbage collection a cash cow meets criticism". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky. 2000-01-01. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  20. 1 2 Swietek, Wes (2020-02-07). "Deal in works to make landfill a mega motorsports park". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  21. ↑ Swietek, Wes (2020-03-03). "Concerns about motorsports park aired at meeting". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  22. ↑ Highland, Deborah (2000-02-07). "Upgrade improves access to airwaves". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  23. ↑ Swietek, Wes (2022-01-10). "Handling tornado debris a massive undertaking". Daily News . Bowling Green, Kentucky . Retrieved 2022-08-12.
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