Residents voice concern over local landfarm

ADVANCE, Mo. -- A public hearing last Thursday in Stoddard County did little to ease landowners with property near an Advance-area landfarm.

Thursday a public meeting was held by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to hear residents' concerns about a landfarm operated by Smith and Co. of Poplar Bluff, Mo. Smith and Co. must be approved for a DNR permit to operate its facility, and under new regulation the permitting process requires public hearings.

A landfarm is a facility where soil contaminated with petroleum products is placed in a lined pit. The chemicals in the petroleum are broken down by natural processes, and water from the operation is released into the environment. Landfarms are required to monitor their discharge in way similar to wastewater treatment plants.

Linda Breitweg, who lives near the landfarm in Swinton, Mo., attended Thursday's public hearing. Breitweg said some area residents and landowners are concerned about runoff from the facility contaminating local streams. She also accuses DNR of turning a blind eye to what she calls improper practices at the landfarm.

For more details, check back at www.semissourian.com or read Tuesday's Southeast Missourian.