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KDHE official outlines illegal‑dump program process; county authorizes submission of two request forms
Summary
Toby of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment explained the state illegal‑dump program’s steps, emphasizing voluntary compliance, consent access agreements for financial assistance and limits on state funding (vehicles are not covered). Following the presentation the commission authorized staff to submit two program request forms.
A Kansas Department of Health and Environment representative joined the Atchison County Commission meeting by Zoom on July 22 to explain how KDHE’s illegal‑dump program works and what county property owners can expect if their sites are referred.
Toby (KDHE) said KDHE acts only at the request of a local governing body and that the county must complete a legal‑dump request form before KDHE becomes involved. He described the normal sequence as: the county identifies a property and files the request form; KDHE staff then meet property owners, attempt voluntary compliance and, when necessary, discuss voluntary assisted compliance that can include a consent access agreement and state assistance for cleanup.
“The only time that they would actually sign anything would be as if we’re going to provide some type of financial assistance… then they would be required to sign the consent access agreement,” Toby said.
Toby said KDHE always seeks voluntary compliance first and that KDHE staff will document items of monetary or sentimental value and give property owners time to remove or safeguard them. He also said KDHE’s funding covers solid‑waste removal up to program limits but not vehicle salvage; vehicle disposal is regulated by KDOT and is typically arranged separately.
“Vehicles… once they have over nine they’re required to have a salvage permit, and that’s regulated by KDOT,” Toby said.
The commission voted 3–0 to authorize staff to fill out and submit KDHE legal‑dump request forms for two addresses on the county nuisance list so KDHE may begin outreach and site assessment. KDHE said it will then contact the property owners, attempt voluntary compliance and return to the commission with recommended next steps.
Why it matters
The program provides a state‑supported pathway for counties to remove hazardous or nuisance solid waste from private property when property owners cannot or will not clean up. The meeting clarified the process, eligibility for state assistance and limitations on what KDHE funds may be used for.
Ending
County staff will complete the two request forms and submit them to KDHE; KDHE will contact the property owners and report back to the commission after site visits and assessments.
