Solid waste panel sends disposal plan to cities

The Solid Waste Disposal District is putting IESI’s request to dump Lafayette Parish garbage in St. Landry’s landfill through channels.

Commission member Gardy McManus of Eunice said the panel on Monday night sent the proposal to parish municipalities, seeking their opinion, before it makes its way along the bureaucratic trail.

Estimates are the proposal could generate as much as $2-$2.5 million annually, revenue that would be parceled to local governments much the same as current out-of-parish revenues are.

McManus said the Lafayette usage would also shorten a relatively little bit the landfill’s 80-90 year life expectancy.

After getting local governments' expression of agreement or disagreement, McManus said the commission will bring the Department of Environmental Quality into the picture for its input.

The final step before further consideration by the commission will be holding a public hearing for solicitation of sentiment, he said.