DNR rejects site near Granby for possible landfill

Nov. 12—JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Geological Survey has determined that a site near Granby where an Arkansas waste disposal company proposed a landfill is not suitable for that use because of the karst topography that could contaminate wells in the area and the proximity to a small Shoal Creek tributary.

The decision was welcomed by one Newton County official. Newton County Presiding Commissioner Daniel Swem said he's excited for the people of Granby.

"We definitely didn't need a landfill that close to a populated area like the city of Granby, and it seemed like it was really close to one of our main waterways, Shoal Creek," Swem said. "That's one of our only large streams we've got going through the county, and we didn't want pollutants in the stream."

The Missouri Geological Survey completed its preliminary site investigation last week and announced in a letter to CARDS, the Arkansas company, that the 320-acre area about 2 miles east of Granby near the intersection of U.S. Highway 60 and Shetland Road was not suitable for a landfill.

"Existing geohydrologic information available at this office, as well as information gathered during the site visit, has been used to consider the suitability of the site for development as a solid waste disposal area," the survey said. "The proposed solid waste disposal area is required to be developed within a sound hydrogeologic setting that limits the potential for environmental impact. Due to the significant potential for catastrophic collapse, the PSI is disapproved."

The letter said a shallow groundwater aquifer near the site is made up of "high-permeability Mississippian-age limestones."

"Due to the high permeability of the limestones, recharge into the shallow aquifer is primarily through downward infiltration and through runoff into sinkholes, open voids/joints in the bedrock, and losing streams," the letter said.

A losing stream is defined as a stream or river that loses water as it flows downstream. That water infiltrates into the ground, recharging local groundwater.

"The unnamed tributary to Shoal Creek located approximately 450 feet west of the site has been previously classified as a losing stream," the letter continued. "The shallow aquifer reaches a total depth of approximately 350 feet below ground surface in the vicinity of the site and is host to domestic wells in the area. The potential to contaminate the groundwater aquifer in this geologic setting is high."

The on-site survey also found at least one depression in the ground that could be caused either by a natural sinkhole or a mineshaft.

"No historical records pertaining to mining on the property were found in the archives at the Missouri Geological Survey or the Secretary of State's office," the letter said. "However, numerous underground mine workings are known in the nearby Granby historical mining district. Due to the residuum thickness, losing stream classification of the nearby unnamed tributary to Shoal Creek, depth to the water table, and identification of an onsite underground opening in the northern portion of the site, the site receives a severe collapse potential rating. For a proposed solid waste disposal facility, ratings of severe are classified as having a significant potential for catastrophic collapse."

Dave Drilling, engineering section chief with the Waste Management Program at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, said a preliminary site investigation is early in the process of applying for a permit to build a landfill and the company has the chance to appeal this decision to the state's Administrative Hearing Commission.

Drilling said this denial of preliminary site investigation means the idea of a landfill near Granby is probably done for now.

"We'll know that in 30 days from Friday (Nov. 8) whether or not CARDS decided to appeal this decision," Drilling said.

Attempts to reach CARDS were unsuccessful.