Commission hears module, leachate and pond updates; public seeks 2025 AER, gasification contract and tipping‑fee records

The commission received detailed engineering and operations updates about the county landfill and heard multiple public requests for documents the public said were not in the meeting packet, including the 2025 annual engineering report required by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), a signed gasification contract, and an annual tipping‑fee schedule required under the operator’s second amendment.

Why it matters: The engineering items and missing documents relate to regulatory compliance, leachate control and public transparency. The commission discussed construction and permit approvals that affect how leachate is routed, stormwater pond remediation and timing for the next site construction phases.

Engineering and operations updates Staff and site engineers reported that work on module 1 and module 2 is proceeding under a minor modification ("minor mod") to the landfill expansion permit. The slip‑lining and the planned permanent connection to the new module’s leachate riser are contingent on the minor mod’s formal approval. Staff said module 2 construction is expected to begin in August or September if schedules hold and that site contractors are preparing test pits and borrow‑area work.

Leachate and stormwater Commission staff reported active measures to control leachate and remediate a stormwater pond that had been plugged to prevent discharge. The East Slope leachate has been managed with temporary pumps and diesel units while staff added equipment to drive aeration and disturb sediment; recent sampling showed elevated ammonia in one pond while other parameters remained at or below compliance levels. An engineer said the contractor has begun dredging a second pond and that soil samples would be taken for laboratory analysis with an estimated turnaround of 10–14 days.

Leachate tanks and site infrastructure A tank inspection from the manufacturer showed no major structural failures but recommended re‑anchoring and seal maintenance after anchor bolts were sheared; staff said pricing was being obtained and that a new, larger leachate tank (about 250,000 gallons) is planned for 2026 to…