Try to imagine: a landfill that would bring in 4000 tons of non-recycleable waste, 5 days a week, for 95 years via train from California, and grow into an unnatural mountain on Jungo Road, just outside of Winnemucca. Nope, that last sentence is not a typo. April, 2007, a conditional use permit (CUP)was granted by the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) in Winnemucca, to Recology to build this landfill.

A citizens group, Nevadans Against Garbage(NAG) has been formed to stop the landfill. The intent of my blog is to keep this group informed on the issue, and hopefully get many of you involved in supporting the efforts to stop the landfill.

Recently, 2/11/10, the RPC gave Recology a FIVE YEAR extension on their CUP given they'd not received any of the necessary permits from the NDEP during the last 3 years. Recology blamed this on delays caused by 'citizen's attacks' beginning in June, 2009. I've examined the timeline of activies personally, and do not agree with that assessment.

So, that is where we are today.

Key activities occuring now:

1. Bob Dolan and Massey, Mayo, local attornies, have filed an appeal with the Humboldt County Commissioners (HCC) to repeal the RPC approval of the 5 year cup extension. They are on the agenda for the March 1 HCC meet. Meeting info isAntelope, Jungo Road on this site under upcoming events, and also at: http://bit.ly/dCZBTh

2. A local citizens group, independent of NAG, Initiative Petitioners Group, has filed an initiative to change the ordinance that allowed for unlimited out of state waste and a 2nd landfill. Registered Humboldt County voters are asked to sign the petition. For info on this group and the petition locations, see: http://bit.ly/bBVU1h

3. 1/14/10, NAG wrote to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting a formal environmental impact study given the proximity of the landfill design to an active aquifer and the limited investigation done to date by the NDEP. At this writing, NAG hasn't heard back. If you are supportive of this request of the EPA, we'd ask you to write a letter to officials showing your support and asking them to do the same. This link to the NAG facebook group page shows you a)the letter sent to the EPA, b)a sample cover letter you can use to send to the local officals of your choice and c)contact information for many officials http://bit.ly/awCgSG

There's more to share. The links below can provide you with more information. But, for my first blog, thought I'd see if I can keep it focused on current events!

I look forward to hearing from you and welcome any suggestions.

Best, Tracy

For more information on NAG: www.nevadansagainstgarbage.com
Join us on Facebook at: http://bit.ly/dwMQCk
Follow DesertPlaya for updates and news on the landfill on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/DesertPlaya

By Tracy Austin