Jackson County Health Department releases health impact study of building landfill in South Kansas City - KMBC Kansas City

Health assessment report for proposed Kansas City landfill released

UPDATED FIRST LAYER OF FUTURE SCAN COMING UP IN A FEW MINUTES. KMBC NINE INVESTIGATES IS GETTING ANSWERS ON THE NEXT STEPS FOR A SOUTH KANSAS CITY LANDFILL PROJECT. THIS OBVIOUSLY A STORY THAT WE FOLLOWED FOR MONTHS. WE CERTAINLY HAVE. IT WOULD SIT ON FOR 3430 ACRES JUST SOUTH OF 150 HIGHWAY LAST WEEK. STATE LAWMAKERS STOPPED SHORT OF STOPPING THE PLAN ALTOGETHER. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER MATT FLENER IS TALKING TO STATE AND CITY LEADERS ABOUT WHAT’S AHEAD. IT IS A NEW WEEK AFTER A LONG WEEK IN JEFFERSON CITY LAST WEEK DEBATING A SOUTH KANSAS CITY LANDFILL, A LANDFILL. PEOPLE AROUND HERE DO NOT WANT. EVERYTHING’S ON A STANDSTILL RIGHT NOW. A DELAY TO A PROJECT THOUSANDS OPPOSED. I JUST DON’T WANT OUR FOLKS HERE IN THE REGION TO BE DISCOURAGED BY THE STALEMATE. GUESS BASICALLY YOU COULD CALL IT THAT OCCURRED DOWN AT THE STATE RAYMORE MAYOR CHRIS TURNBOW WANTED MISSOURI LAWMAKERS LAST WEEK TO BAN A LANDFILL PROJECT JUST NORTH OF RAYMORE. BUT AFTER HOURS OF FILIBUSTER FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE, THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILL NOW STUDY A SOUTH KANSAS CITY LANDFILLS IMPACT FOR THE NEXT YEAR. WE HAD BASICALLY LOST STATE SENATOR RICK BRAD FILIBUSTER TO FORCE THE ISSUE TO COME BACK UP, SAYING LOBBYISTS SWAYED LAWMAKERS ON THE OPPOSING SIDE. SO FOR US TO EVEN GET THE ONE YEAR PAUSE ON THIS PROCESS IS A HUGE WIN. IT’S LIKELY THAT WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER LANDFILL FOR AT LEAST 20 YEARS OR MORE. AND IT TAKES ABOUT TEN YEARS TO SITE A NEW LANDFILL. A TOP PLANNER AT THE MID-AMERICA REGIONAL COUNCIL SAYS WITH THE TALK ABOUT A SOUTH KANSAS CITY PROJECT, IT IS TIMELY TO THINK ABOUT LANDFILL NEEDS, SAYING A COMMITTEE WILL HAVE A LARGER DISCUSSION ON WHERE KANSAS CITY’S TRASH AND COMPOSTING AND RECYCLING SHOULD GO IN THE FUTURE. THERE’S ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES TO LOOK BACK AND THINK, HOW COULD WE HAVE GUIDED THIS BETTER? BUT WE ARE WHERE WE ARE AND THE PROCESS IS NOT YET COMPLETED. AS THOSE STRATEGIES HERE AROUND SOUTH KANSAS CITY AND THE REGION DEVELOPED FOR WHAT HAPPENS WITH OUR WASTE IN THE FUTURE, WE’LL BE SURE TO SHARE THOSE WITH YOU. MATT FLENER OR KMBC NINE NEWS. THE LANDFILL DEVELOPER JENNY HEIZER HAS REFUSED AN ON CAMERA INTERVIEW ABOUT THE PROJECT. SHE ALSO HAS NOT ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM NEIGHBORS. HOWEVER, SHE SAID LAST WEEK SHE WILL CONTINU

Jackson County Health Department releases health impact study of building landfill in South Kansas City

Updated: 7:56 PM CDT May 16, 2023

The Jackson County Health Department has released a health impact assessment concerning a proposed landfill in South Kansas City. The assessment report “examines existing evidence on the potential health impacts of the landfill and its effects on Eastern Jackson County communities,” the county said. Just over 2,500 residents would potentially be affected by the landfill, according to the report. The health impacts would include short-term issues. “Based on the available evidence, the biggest known health risks are short term respiratory distress associated with higher levels of gas emissions such as hydrogen sulfide, as well as short term symptoms associated with the odor these gases emit,” the report states. It also states that landfill gas emissions and the odors they emit could “exacerbate” existing conditions such as asthma. The report also said that it could be “very possible” that building landfills near cities, developments and schools will be “unavoidable” unless the region reduces its generation of waste. The proposed landfill is located north of 155th Street, extending to Highway 150 and from Peterson Road to Horridge Road. It has generated intense debate and opposition, which includes cities and organizations. There’s at least a one-year waiting period before the future of the landfill is known following an ordinance passed in Kansas City. PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THIS ISSUE:City, regional, state leaders discuss next steps for South Kansas City landfill project Kansas City mayor calls for one-year ban on landfill projects as bill stalls in Jefferson City Filibuster stalls passage of ‘landfill bill,’ Raymore leaders will continue the fightDeveloper confirms plans for South Kansas City landfill near Jackson, Cass County border lineSouth Kansas City pastor supporting proposed landfill project, amid community debateRaymore, Kansas City residents discuss latest updates for proposed landfillDeeper concerns raised about environmental impact of potential South Kansas City landfillLee’s Summit opposes potential landfill near borderGrandview waste transfer station proposes alternative to landfillRaymore, Kansas City leaders discuss landfill questions

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

The Jackson County Health Department has released a health impact assessment concerning a proposed landfill in South Kansas City.

The assessment report “examines existing evidence on the potential health impacts of the landfill and its effects on Eastern Jackson County communities,” the county said.

Just over 2,500 residents would potentially be affected by the landfill, according to the report.

The health impacts would include short-term issues.

“Based on the available evidence, the biggest known health risks are short term respiratory distress associated with higher levels of gas emissions such as hydrogen sulfide, as well as short term symptoms associated with the odor these gases emit,” the report states.

It also states that landfill gas emissions and the odors they emit could “exacerbate” existing conditions such as asthma.

The report also said that it could be “very possible” that building landfills near cities, developments and schools will be “unavoidable” unless the region reduces its generation of waste.

The proposed landfill is located north of 155th Street, extending to Highway 150 and from Peterson Road to Horridge Road.

It has generated intense debate and opposition, which includes cities and organizations.

There’s at least a one-year waiting period before the future of the landfill is known following an ordinance passed in Kansas City.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THIS ISSUE: