84-024
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RESOLUTION NO.~ y- g'f
RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE SELECTION OF
"SITE MIt AS A POTEN'l'IAL SOLID WASTE
LANDFILL SITE.
WHEREAS, Uetropolitan Council is considering the
selection of two additional solid waste landfill sites in
Hennepin County; and
WHEREAS, C/'6it t) -I JJi.M1C6~a.YCJO,O is concerned that
the selection of "S' e W' as a landfill could have an adverse
effect on . ~ ~..eEWtJCJ Jl) and the entire Lake
Minnetonka Waters.ed due to the pollution of surface waters
and underground water reservoirs and the generation of
traffic; and
WHEREAS, Lake Minnetonka is a unique and vital regional
recreational resource which is also surrounded by thirteen
cities with a total population of 75,000 people, 13,000 of
which live on the shores of the lake;
. " . NOW, THEREFOFrl1, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Counci 1
of ilL. (l:~ of ....J'/(/()ILFWtJ()~ objects to the selection of
"Site MIt as solid waste landfill site.
Adopted this d?3/'dJ day of ~P/2I(" , 19PsI, by
the City Council of the City of SAl6,i?e-WOoLJ
by a vote of 5 Ayes and 0 Nays.
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(Seal)
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April 9, 1984
Mayor Robert Rascop
City of Shorewood
5755 Country Club Road
Shorewood, MN 5533l
Dear Mayor Rascop:
The Cities of Minnetrista and St. Bonifacius are seeking
the continued support of Lake Hinnetonka communities in
opposing a potential landfill, Site M, in the western Lake
Minnetonka area. The site lies in Minnetrista approximately
one and a quarter mile upstream of Halsted's Bay of Lake
Minnetonka, just north of St. Bonifacius.
.
A couple of years ago, your City supported us by adopting
a resolution expressing opposition to the landfill because
of the adverse effects it could have on your City and the
entire Lake Minnetonka Watershed. Hennepin County rejected
Site M, in part, because of the concerns of Lake l1innetonka
communities. However, Metropolitan Council is again con-
sidering Site M. During the next few months, they will be
selecting two of four potential landfill sites.
The selection of Site M could have a harmful effect on Lake
Minnetonka and its surrounding cities due to pollution of
surface waters and underground water reservoirs and genera-
tion of heavy truck traffic. Pollutants from the l~ndfill
could enter surface waters which drain into Lake Minnetonka.
No assurances can be given by environmental engineers that
such pollution would not occur, regardless of the sophisti-
cation of the landfill's design. Considering the millions
of dollars which communities have invested to install sani-
tary sewer and take other measures to protect the land and
improve water quality, we are now faced with the possible
introduction of another major source of pollution. .
.
The landfill site also lies above aquifers which flow east-
ward and which are utilized by many private and municipal
wells. Consultant studies have stated that pollutants could
migrate into these major water bearing aquifers since there
are no aquicludes to serve as barriers between the landfill
and underground reservoirs. Though experts are recommending
that liners be installed in landfills, they again can provide
no guarantee that the liners would function properly and that
the aquifers would not be contaminated.
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Page Two
Mayor Robert Rascop
April 9, 1984
The landfill would also generate a significant amount of
traffic on state, county, and municipal roads in the Lake
Minnetonka area. Traffic engineers have estimated that a
landfill would create 150-600 heavy truck trips per day.
Though many of the area's major traffic arterials are al-
ready overburdened, the addition of this heavy truck traffic
would add to problems of congestion and public safety.
The concerns expressed by cities for the negative impacts
which a landfill could have on Lake Minnetonka were helpful
in having Site M rejected once before. Therefore, the Cities
of Minnetrista and St. Bonifacius would appreciate your con-
tinued support by the adoption of the enclosed resolution or
one similar to it, or any other expression of opposition
or concern ot Site M which you may wish to make. Testimony
could also be given at a public meeting being held by Metro-
politan Council on Wednesday, April 25th, at 7:00 p.m. at
Orono High School. The purpose of that meeting is to take
comments from officials and citizens regarding the potential
landfill sites, including Site M.
Thank you again for your assistance and support. If you have
any suggestions or comments concerning the site selection
process or would like a representative of our Cities to
attend a Council meeting to discuss this matter further,
please contact us.
Sincerely,
..~\.
u/..
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WC:DG:bjs
Enclosure
cc Sandra Kennelly, City Clerk