The Kansas Department of Health and Environment can help Lyon County officials combat illegal dumping.
Bob Medina of KDHE’s Bureau of Waste Management told Lyon County commissioners Wednesday that, in 2000, legislators passed a statute allowing the state to use part of the tonnage fees that are paid in through landfills and take care of what they believe is a problem around the state.
“From that I get about $150,000 a year,” Medina said. “The average cost of cleaning up an illegal dumpsite is about $4,500. The actual disposal cost is probably about 15 percent of that cost so we allow about $10,000 a site.”
Medina told county commissioners that the best option for Lyon County is in-kind services.
“But you have the choice of contracting it out also,” he said.
To qualify for state benefits and funds, Lyon County has to identify illegal dumpsites and fill out an identification form.
“What we want to do is get it cleaned up,” Medina said. “We’ll try to keep this as simple as possible as far as paperwork.”
Medina identified other types of dumping to Lyon County commissioners.
“The other type of dumping is where there might be a known dumper on their own site and trying to clean up those areas,” Medina said. “Another type is you have a person that is physically unable to clean up an area. They are willing to work with you, but for various reasons, they can’t get it cleaned up.”
Medina said state statute allows for up to a $5,000 fine for illegal dumping. He said signs near or around dumpsites that state that people can be fined up to $5,000 can help curb dumping.
“When somebody sees that they can be fined $5,000, it makes people think,” Medina said.
Medina also suggested allowing the KDHE to print a brochure to be distributed by Lyon County to educate the public.
“The cost could be covered if the county could distribute it,” he said. “That could curb illegal dumping too.”
Surveillance equipment also can be used in and around frequent dumpsites, Medina added. He said he would go back to his office and start the process to see what needs to be done about illegal dumping in Lyon County.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners heard from Roberta Eichenberg and Elaine Henry of the Emporia State University Art Department. Eichenberg and Henry asked if they could display various pieces of art in the Lyon County Courthouse. They brought several examples for commissioners to see during the meeting. Commissioners agreed that displaying artwork would be advantageous to the public and fill empty space on the walls.
“I think these are fantastic,” said County Counselor Michael Halleran. Halleran said he could get in touch with Mark McKenna of facilities management and as soon as tags were ready to go with the artwork, the pieces can be displayed.
“I think it’ll add some brightness to our hallway,” Commission Chairman Marshall Miller said. “This would definitely be a plus for this lower hallway.”