The Issue

A crisis looms over the head of Scott County, Tennessee and McCreary County, Kentucky. Recently, plans for a rail waste transfer station and a second landfill have resurfaced with the new proposed landfill bordering the Volunteer Regional Landfill. This project looms as a harbinger of ecological damage over the surrounding communities and the pristine waters of the Big South Fork Cumberland River.

The environmental threats proposed by the proposed landfill is highly concerning, with leachate contamination being the highest concern. Leachate, a highly hazardous and toxic liquid produced by waste decomposition in landfills, contains a concoction of harmful substances, including heavy metals, organic compounds, and pathogens. The risk of leachate seeping into the groundwater is significant, particularly where there is porous soil or fractured bedrock. Once in the waterways, leachate can travel considerable distances, contaminating rivers, streams, and lakes well beyond the immediate vicinity of the landfill.

The Big South Fork Cumberland River, a vital water source and recreational area, is especially vulnerable to leachate contamination. Such contamination would have devastating consequences for aquatic life, wildlife, and human health, as well as for the economic activities that depend on clean water, such as fishing, tourism, and agriculture.

Waste transfer stations, where waste is temporarily stored and processed before being transported to the working face of the landfill, also pose environmental hazards. Spills and runoff from these facilities can release pollutants into the surrounding environment, further exacerbating the risk of water contamination. The floodplains near the proposed rail-transfer station project would likely be subject to additional contamination polluting other water resources. The cumulative impact of landfills and waste transfer stations on water quality and ecosystem health can be severe and long-lasting, potentially undermining the ecological integrity for generations to come. Addressing these threats requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes waste reduction, recycling, and the implementation of strict environmental safeguards.

There are other issues beyond the environmental hazards, the project attacks community wellbeing and economic stability. The establishment of a second landfill and rail transfer station will decrease property values in the immediate and surrounding areas, undermining the financial security of citizens and hinder our future development. Additionally, environmental degradation will decrease our regions appeal as a location for tourism and recreation, jeopardizing community businesses and livelihood. The pursuit of happiness, a cornerstone of our society, is fundamentally threatened by this encroachment up our environment and quality of life. The second proposed landfill and rail transfer stations leave our communities with nothing but memories and leave behind an unerasable footprint. We CAN‘T let that happen. Your voice matters, and with it, environmental injustice will end.