Another Landfill, Barton Co., MO

If it looks like a skunk, if it smells like a skunk, if it behaves like a skunk, it is probably a skunk. When a group of investors, calls themselves Environmental Recovery Group, LLC of Liberal, MO (ERG), the name conjures up a group of conscientious environmentalist. Guess again. The group has filed an application to build a 36.8 acre landfill on a 193 acre site, 1.5 miles northwest of Mindenmines, MO.and 1 mile north of US Highway 160, adjacent to the Missouri-Kansas state line in Barton Co., MO. They want to fill up an old strip pit with sanitary landfill. The Joplin Globe, Monday, July 17, 2006 reported on the application.The article quotes Dennis Wilson as a spokesman for the group. He is also a longtime member of the Barton County Commission.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Status of Solid Waste Permit Applications indicates ERG Mindenmines Pre - Public Participiation. Will likely hold hearing on draft permit. Follow-up to pre-application meeting held 09/28/05. Application anticipated in 2005. The MDNR site hasn't been updated since November 21, 2005. The application proposes disposing of 1,000 tons of waste in the landfill per day, and estimates an opeating life of 8.5 years.