SOME EXPRESS OPPOSITION TO OLIVE BRANCH LANDFILL

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- A 400-plus-acre site along Route 3, between Twente Crossings and Olive Branch, could become the site of a landfill if plans by a DeKalb, Ill., company become a reality.

Echo Management Co., of Illinois, Inc., is looking at a number of potential landfill sites in Southern Illinois.

The Alexander County site near Olive Branch is just one of several sites, noted a spokesman for the firm.

Since word was released recently concerning the possible development of the Alexander County site, some residents have expressed opposition to a landfill near Olive Branch, voicing concern of sinking land values, leakage and other problems.

"We don't want it in our community," said Don Masterson of Lou's Bait Shop in Olive Branch.

An informational meeting on the landfill has been scheduled at the Olive Branch Community Building at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"All citizens are invited to attend this meeting," said Louis Maze, an Alexander County Commissioner. "This is not a hearing. It's just an informational meeting."

Maze, who lives at Olive Branch, says hearings will be established later if the site is selected.

One Olive Branch resident asked, "How are we going to expand Olive Branch to the West if a landfill is there?" Another says, "We already have enough environmental problems in the Horseshoe Lake area without worrying about a landfill leaking into the lake."

A petition drive has been launched in the area against the landfill.

Another resident added that the landfill would be developed according to Environmental Protection Agency specifications. The operation would involve pods that are lined and capped to avoid any runoff.

"Depending on the scale of the operation, this could result in $300,000 to $1.1 million a year in fees to the county," he said. "It could also mean 30 to 40 full-time jobs."

Echo Management is continuing to look at sites.

"This company is committed to being a good neighbor," added the spokesman. "It will not attempt to come into an area where it is not wanted."

The landfill, wherever it is located, will be developed in 10-acre pods. Each 10-acre, 660-square-foot pod, will have to be completely finished before another pod is started.

According to EPA regulations, the pods are first lined. Once they are ready for closure, a cover material is brought in, then covered and seeded with grass and trees.

The company developing the site will purchase 425 acres, but will be using about half that, with the landfill in the center.