New Orleans Landfill Forced to Close

Date: August 16, 2006

Source: News Room

U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier rejected a request by Waste Management of Louisiana to continue use of its controversial New Orleans landfill. The Chef Menteur landfill was closed on Tuesday, August 15. Waste Management and the state Department of Environmental Quality both agree that the landfill is "environmentally and technically sound," and have argued that closing the landfill would lead to lengthy delays in clean-up from Katrina and cost the city millions of dollars. Waste Management has applied for a permit, but the process and political reality of the city counsel makes the permit unlikely until at least next year. In a suit filed by Waste Management in state court, Judge Janice Clark ruled to continue the "status quo" at the site. At issue, is whether the state or local government have legal jurisdiction over the status of the landfill. Other debates concern viable alternatives to the landfill. Supporters argue that there are a lack of adequate alternatives for the landfill, citing a lack of capacity at the closest landfill and the distance to another landfill. Opponents of the landfill argue that night hauling and bigger trucks are viable solutions to these problems.

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