West Lake Landfill photo provided by Just Moms STL.
By Holly Shanks
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released the interim report “West Lake Landfill Vicinity Radiological Survey and Sampling” on November 25, 2016. The report details the radiological survey conducted by the State agency in November 2015.
The survey effort, conducted by the DNR, took “soil, sediment, dust and surface water samples” from multiple locations surrounding the West Lake Landfill. The samples were sent for laboratory analyses with results to be released in a pending final report.
In an email response, Tom Bastian, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources director of communications, did not state an estimated time for the final report to be released. He said the survey data must be reviewed and verified, and when available, the conclusions will be posted at this web address.
In the introduction, the report says it is an update which “identifies the selected sampling locations, details the radiological survey methods, and documents initial results.”
Missouri Rep. Bill Otto, D- 70th District, issued a press release praising the DNR’s efforts to identify landfill contamination. He said one of the big questions he has is “why in the world is the State doing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) job?” (Otto’s press release can be viewed below.)
“There is a lot to the report, it’s preliminary, but verifies what people have been saying for a while – that (radioactive waste) is migrating off site,” Otto said. “The radioactive material has been there for a long time, and it almost has to come off-site somehow or someway. This report just sort of validates that.”
The West Lake Landfill is located in Bridgeton, Mo, and contains nuclear waste from the World War II era. Public concern has been intensifying, in part, because of an ongoing underground fire located in the adjacent Bridgeton Landfill. The fire has generated concerns that it could potentially reach the nuclear waste.
In the conclusion of the interim report, findings say “the vast majority of readings in each area fell in the lower range of values for gamma radiation, with brief fluctuations to comparatively higher values.” In addition, the report notes “field screening observations did not identify any areas of health and safety concern for staff. However, two soil sample locations, located on or immediately adjacent to private property north and northwest of area 2, had areas of persistent readings comparatively higher than other detections in those areas.” To read the full report or to see maps and photos of testing areas use the link provided at the end of this article.
Bastian also stated in the email response, “While litigation continues on this matter, the DNR continues to monitor Bridgeton Landfill’s operations to verify compliance and to ensure violations are corrected.”
Otto said he attended a committee hearing yesterday to hear discussions and testimony for State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D- District 14, newly introduced bill SB600. The bill’s summary says it involves a “hazardous waste home acquisition program.” The program would allow for the Missouri DNR to buy-out homeowners within three miles of the West Lake Landfill, Bridgeton Landfill, or Coldwater Creek.
However, SB600 comes with a seven billion dollar price tag, according to Otto. He said the bill has a “huge physical note to it” and the idea of it being successful as currently written is “virtually impossible, but it does draw attention to the issues surrounding the landfill.”
Otto said he can make the argument that Missouri has a responsibility for the area around the West Lake and Bridgeton Landfills. The Cold Water Creek area contamination is a more complicated issue that does not fall under state authority. He said dealing with the area directly around the landfill would involve possibly less than $15 million and that might be an option.
Otto was encouraged by the number of senators that attended the hearing and were asking sensible questions about the issues. The next step for the bill is to be voted out of the committee process.
To read the full DNR report click on the link below.
http://dnr.mo.gov/bridgeton/docs/20160125westlakeinterimvicinityreport.pdf
To read Bill SB600 summary click on the link below.
http://www.senate.mo.gov/16info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=22246505
UPDATE: This article has been updated to include comments requested from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
EPA’s press release to build a barrier between West Lake Landfill Nuclear Waste Site and the Bridgeton Landfill underground fire.
State Rep. Bill Otto press release about the new DNR’s interim report:
Environmental Echo 
A big thank you to Rep. Bill Otto for his continuing advocacy in seeking a resolution for his constituents and Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal for introducing the legislation in SB600. Where are our Federal officials? Why do they remain silent? I appreciate the Committee hearing testimony and acknowledging the seriousness of the issue and hope for a positive vote. This is not a solution to the problem of Manhattan Project radioactive waste that was illegally dumped in West Lake Landfill but it gives the people around it hope that they can move on with their lives with fair market value for their homes, if they choose it, while the EPA, DNR, Republic Services face the tasks of finding a solution to the West Lake Landfill and the radioactive waste and the fire in Bridgeton Landfill.
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