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RODERICK L. BREMBY, SECRETARY |
K A N S A S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT |
KATHLEEN SEBELIUS, GOVERNOR |
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Clean Up of Illegal Dumping Area Begins in Montgomery County
Clean up of an illegal dumping area is underway southwest of Independence in Montgomery County. The effort is part of a state program. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Montgomery County began overseeing the clean up this week. Site clean up should be completed within the next ten days depending upon weather conditions.
The affected area is wooded and spans approximately one and a half acres near Rock Creek near 19th and Cherry Street at the southern edge of the city limits of Independence. Due to its remote location, illegal dumping has been a problem at this site for many years and the property owner has requested assistance in getting it cleaned up.
Montgomery County officials have hired a contractor to clear the debris from the area. The county will pay 25 percent of the cost of clean up and the KDHE IIlegal Dump Program will pay the remaining 75 percent with a maximum up to $10,000. The cost of this site clean up is estimated at $10,000, and any amount exceeding the $10,000 limit to be paid by the state, will be paid by the county.
"We are pleased this clean up effort is underway and appreciate the landowner's efforts in working with us to get it going as well," said Bob Medina, KDHE Illegal Dump Program Manager.
KDHE's Illegal Dump Program, which targets illegal dump sites statewide and works with local authorities to ensure proper clean up, has identified approximately 100 sites statewide since the program began in 2000. The program is funded by the $1 per ton fee collected at landfills and transfer stations. "
Financial assistance to other communities wishing to clean up illegal dumps is available. Local governments are required to pay 25 percent of the cost which may be also be paid with in-kind services such as equipment, labor and offering available landfill space.
Illegal dump sites should be reported to the local government or to Bob Medina, Program Manager of KDHE's Illegal Dump Program at 785-296-6617. Anyone wishing to report illegal dumping may remain anonymous.