HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-07 Saltman & Bunn Ltr to MPCA CommissionerI;e Fl
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Minnesota egislaturoi
I I A d 113 A A I
Senator Kath Saltzman ( SD 56
306 State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Kin Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651 296-4166 — Email: sen.kath
Representative Julie Bunn ( SD 56A)
521 State Office Buildin St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-4244 -- Email: rep.julie.bunn@house.mn
October 7, 2008
Commissioner Brad Moore
Minnesota Pollution Control A
520 Lafa Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
Dear Commissioner Moore,
We want to thank y ou for both meetin with us to discuss the work bein done b the
Construction, Demolition, and Industrial Landfill (CDIL Work Group and the follow up
information y ou provided re critical issues for the g roup to consider. We ver
much appreciate y ou listenin to our concerns and workin to answer and resolve some
of issues that were raised at our meetin
While our meetin with y ou focused on the work of the CDIL, we felt it was also
important to update y ou on the q uestions bein raised in the Oak Park Hei
communit re the Xcel Ener application to expand the current fl ash disposal
site. Prior to our meetin we had alerted y our staff to some of the q uestions we had
about the application and the process that the Minnesota Pollution Control A would
use in reviewin the application. It was not our intent to surprise y ou with this
information, but rather alert y ou to some of the concerns that we have been hearin from
communit members.
We offered to follow up with y ou re how y ou mi direct MPCA staff to proceed
in workin with and respondin to the communit and the concerns that the have
brou to our attention re mana of the current site. Re of whether
the expansion application is approved b the MPCA and Cit of Oak Park Hei we
believe the followin alle raised b our constituents are worth of investi b
the MPCA. We would further su that the MPCA investi these issues in more
depth before holdin a communit meetin so that MPCA staffs are better able to
respond to the alle or at least comment on how/if the MPCA plans to proceed in
investi them.
Commissioner Moore
October 7, 2008
Page Two
The following are the most pressing issues we have heard raised by citizens:
1. Dust: Citizens expressed concerns with the amount of dust that is generated from the
site. They have noted on some days that there are "dust storms." From information
shared with us regarding the west Lakeland site, it was our understanding that the fly ash
is transported wet and hardens to a solid mass. Thus it would seem that dust should not
be an issue. However, oak Park Heights residents report that only the top of the fly ash
is wet and a "crust" appears to form on the top.
We are requesting that the MPCA evaluate the source /content of the dust and if the
amount generated requires better management.
2. Street cleaning. Citizens have also noted that the trucks leave significant residue on
the streets around the site. The streets are reportedly hosed down, but the run-off appears
to be going into storm sewers and ultimately the St. Croix River. It is also reported by
residents that the trucks are not covered when they leave the site.
We are requesting that the MPCA investigate the source of the street debris and if fly ash
is being rinsed down the storm sewers.
3. Health concerns. Residents around the site have expressed that they believe exposure
to fly ash is the cause of health problems experienced by their families and pets.
We would be interested in knowing if there is a process for citizens to report these
concerns and how they are then monitored.
We understand that Xcel held a community meeting with local residents last summer and
these issues were brought to their attention at that time. If we can be of further assistance
in investigating or responding to these issues, please so not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Kathy Saltzman Julie Bunn
State Senator State Representative
Senate District 56 House District 56A
cc: Eric Johnson, City Administrator, City of Oak Park Heights
Thomas Smith, Xcel Energy, Alan S. Ding Plant Manager