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County reports landfill expansion plan; seeks lined cell and recycling grant funding
Summary
Solid‑waste staff described a planned eight‑acre, lined expansion cell at the Lake County landfill, estimated engineering and construction costs, and an EPA grant application to modernize recycling operations and reduce off‑site hauling.
Lake County’s landfill and recycling manager briefed commissioners on a planned expansion and recycling modernization at the county’s existing landfill site during the Jan. 24 work session.
The manager said the county’s current landfill site has been in use since 1962 and that existing permitted acreage could last for many decades if new cells are permitted as planned. For the next expansion, the county must construct a modern, lined cell and leachate collection system to meet current state standards. Staff estimated the expansion cost (engineering and construction) in the multi‑million dollar range and outlined a funding approach that would rely on landfill fees, possible county contributions and grant sources.
Why it matters: The county’s landfill serves residents and visitors and helps avoid long hauls to out‑of‑county facilities. A permitted expansion with a modern liner is now required by state regulators; if the county loses permitted capacity it would need to establish transfer options or send waste farther away.
Key points - Permitting and design: Staff are working on an Engineering Design and Operations Plan (EDOP) and responding to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) questions. The next cell will require a clean liner and leachate collection; staff said the lining requirement is the central design and cost driver. - Estimated cost and funding: Staff suggested an estimated project cost in the low‑to‑mid tens of millions for development of a lined cell and supporting infrastructure; they asked the board to consider multi‑year funding and noted the county maintains a landfill closure fund the state requires to demonstrate financial capacity for closure and post‑closure care. - Recycling expansion and grant application: The county applied for an EPA grant (decision expected in the following year) that, if awarded, would fund a modern sorting facility to reduce manual handling and increase local recycling throughput. Staff also noted a pending grant to purchase a generator for the site’s planned burn box/incinerator and the county’s interest in improving on‑site materials management so less material needs to be hauled out of county. - Operations and controls: Staff reviewed daily cover rules, gas monitoring requirements and the facility’s limited methane production; current gas production was described as too small to economically recover for energy but the county is monitoring results.
Ending Staff asked the board to consider annual allocations to build the closure fund and to approve continued engineering and permitting work. They emphasized the county will continue to seek grants to offset capital costs and to preserve local disposal capacity.
