DEQ Issues Draft Environmental Assessment for Proposed Landfill Expansion in Lincoln County

• October 16 2024

Helena—The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding a proposed expansion of the Lincoln County Landfill in Libby, Montana.

The proposed expansion includes approximately 17.4 acres of property located southeast of the currently operating Lincoln County Landfill at 2501 Pipe Creek Road. An existing drive would be to access the site from the main entrance off Pipe Creek Road via Libby Landfill Road. Of the 17.4 acres, 14.3 acres would be used for active landfilling activities. The remaining acreage would remain undisturbed.

The existing landfill is expected to reach capacity in 2027. In its application, Lincoln County explained that the expansion would allow for the continued acceptance of Group II, Group III, and Group IV waste, all of which are accepted at the existing landfill, alleviating the need for this waste to be transported outside of the county for final disposal. The proposed expansion would extend the timeline for active landfilling in this area by approximately 29 years.

DEQ prepared a draft EA in compliance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act to analyze potential impacts of the proposal. The agency is now accepting public comment on the draft EA, after which DEQ will review comments and make a final decision on the application. The public comment period closes November 15, 2024, and comments can be submitted electronically or by mail.