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Residents urge the board to oppose landfill expansion as DNR review continues
Summary
Multiple residents at the Jan. 18 meeting spoke against a proposed landfill expansion, raising groundwater and leaching concerns; county staff said the DNR issued a letter of incompleteness and the county will meet with DNR and report next month.
Several Vernon County residents used the public‑comment period to oppose a proposed landfill expansion and to urge more scrutiny. Jenny Cain of Viroqua said she was concerned about leaching and that alleged contamination could harm the county's reputation as a tourist destination. "I'm worried about the leaching," Cain said during public comment.
Kelvin Rodolfo, also of Viroqua, said he believes groundwater was compromised because the landfill sits on porous, poorly analyzed terrain. Tom Lukens criticized the Infrastructure Committee's handling of the matter and referenced the DNR's "letter of incompleteness." The board paused for a five‑minute recess after the public comments.
Board leadership and staff told the public the DNR review is ongoing. Supv Taylor asked why the DNR report was not on the agenda; Chair Lorn Goede said the county has a meeting scheduled with DNR and will report back next month. Administrative Coordinator Cassie Hanan said the DNR's letter of incompleteness and the county's responses will be reviewed in an upcoming meeting, indicating further committee-level work before any formal action by the full board.
