Petition to the Village of Richfield

Dear Village Board,

We have serious concerns and are opposed to the proposed solid waste facility at 609 Scenic Road, Colgate, WI. The community opposes the landfill for reasons of public and private nuisance, the environment, health, and declining property values. We oppose private gain at public cost.

The proposed landfill is directly adjacent to developed neighborhoods. Expanding out from this area there are many more developed neighborhoods in the Richfield Village that will be affected by this proposed landfill. Amy Belle Elementary School is 1.3 miles from the proposed site.

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

Toxicity. The underground aquifers are the only source of water for the multiple developed residential communities in the area. We are mindful of what happened to the Village of Ackerville, where a landfill contaminated surrounding wells. Our community has already suffered from at least two landfills that were closed by the EPA due to contamination (Schmidt Hole #2 and Meeker Hill Hole).

We are concerned that approved items that are dumped in the landfill will contaminate and foul the water and air. Non-lead based paint contains known toxins and unpainted concrete has surface treatments and binders that can contaminate the air and water. We are also concerned that approved items could contain bacteria and mold that are hazardous to our health. We are also concerned that non-approved items will be dumped. Lead chromate was the yellow paint used on roads until 1991, and there are many other non-approved items that are of concern.

Dust. Breathing in particulate matter is a health issue. Microbes and other toxins that dust from solid waste contains is a concern, particularly for adults and children with asthma. In addition to the wider community, some parents at Amy Belle school are concerned about dust affecting children and staff at the school.

Water Contamination. Exhaust from trucks is a known contaminate of ground water and trucks traversing to and from the quarry will generate a large amount of exhaust.

The quarry floor is ~20 feet above groundwater and the growndwater recharge potential is rated high in this area by the DNR. The groundwater is part of the Rock River Watershed. Meadow Brook, Bark River, and Wetlands are approximately less than 1,200 feet from the proposed landfill. Bark Lake and Wetlands are also less than 0.5 miles from the proposed landfill. These areas are all part of a Primary Environmental Corridor and Conservancy Zoning District (AQ1 Aquatic river/Stream of Statewide or greater importance, SEWRPC, AQ3 Critical Species and Aquatic Habitat, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey.)

In addition to wider water contamination, there are a number of residents with wells within 1,200 feet of the site and have additional concerns about local contamination.

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NUISANCE

Road Safety. Each day the landfill is in operation, hundreds of dump trucks will be carrying waste to and from the site. We oppose trucks for any number of days of the week (1-7). This area has narrow roads with no shoulders, and many hills and curves that would make it dangerous to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists and vehicles.

Road Obstruction. The numerous trucks (many per hour) will obstruct traffic. In addition, trucks will create disruptive congestion for parents to pick up and drop off their children at school.

Road Waste. The danger of debris from the trucks and their tires before and after dumping the construction and demolition waste is a hazard to everyone using the road or walking beside the road. The waste can, with subsequent vehicles, become airborne and damage people and vehicles. The hundreds of dump trucks passing the elementary school will cause disruption to class and danger to the students who walked or rode their bikes to school. For this reason, Germantown School District was strongly opposed to this landfill.

Noise. Trucks on the road to and from the site are noisy. Trucks at the landfill site will have loud alarm noises when in reverse and dumping their loads and the tailgates bang loudly when they are released. In addition to the objection of noise from the trucks from the wider community, some parents at Amy Belle school are concerned about the noise interfering with school activities.

Property Values. The quarry is now surrounded by numerous subdivisions and many property owners will be negatively affected. When residents built their homes here, they were assured that the quarry would not be further mined or filled. People move out to Richfield for peace and quiet. Who will buy their homes when for the next ten years they will have to put up with this hassle and the lasting environmental and health concerns after the landfill is full?

Economic Development. The trucks traveling to and from the landfill, dust, noise and road wear and tear can inhibit economic growth of existing local restaurants, services, and stores. It also can suppress development of businesses that align with the rural/scenic way of life in the area.

We appreciate and support the Village protecting the community from the public and private nuisance, environment, health and property values that this proposed landfill brings.

Sincerly,

#Villagenews