Silver State to clean Sunrise landfill
Wednesday, June 16, 1999 | 10:54 a.m.
Nearly a year after a violent rainstorm tore open garbage-filled cells at the Sunrise Mountain landfill, sending a channel of trash into the Las Vegas Wash, a clean-up agreement was hammered out Tuesday.
Clark County commissioners unanimously agreed to accept Silver State Disposal Inc.'s $36 million offer to clean up the landfill, which was improperly closed in 1993.
In exchange for Silver State's work in shoring up the landfill, which is emitting methane and hydrogen sulfide gases, the county agreed to extend the disposal firm's exclusive garbage-collecting rights by 15 years, until 2035.
Silver State officials told the county they hope to plug the gas leaks within a year.
Stephen Kalish, president of Silver State, said the landfill property is in an ideal location with sweeping views of the valley and someday could be the perfect site for a park or golf course.
"We hope to turn the wasteland into a resource that can be enjoyed by the entire community," he said.
Earlier this year the storm-damaged landfill captured the attention of the Environmental Protection Agency, which said Southern Nevada's drinking water was in imminent danger. The September downpour sent medical waste and sludge into the Las Vegas Wash, which feeds Lake Mead, Southern Nevada's primary source of drinking water.
In April the EPA issued a 51-page enforcement order demanding the site be cleaned up immediately.
The order left agencies involved in the landfill wondering who was responsible. The Bureau of Land Management owns the 720-acre landfill. Both the county and landfill operators were found in violation of environmental laws.
On Tuesday County Commissioner Erin Kenny commended Silver State and county staff for rectifying the situation rather than squabbling over who failed to close the landfill properly.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Kruger hoping his team will play with grit
- Pricing out wagers on the Pacquiao-Cotto fight
- RTC bus driver fired, arrested after allegedly attacking woman
- Two second-graders involved in shooting at bus stop
- CityCenter Realtors hit with cut in commissions
- Privé owner files for bankruptcy protection in Florida
- Trainers scuffle at Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto weigh-in
- Shanghai’s maglev: Flying with both feet on the ground
- Hooters reports loss, says Chapter 11 possible
- Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs among stars in Las Vegas for Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight
Blogs
The Greene Room
Predicting this weekend's Mountain West football slate
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 11: Child's play
Miech Again
UNLV prez Smatresk is ready for some basketball (5 Comments)
Politics: The Early Line
Harry Reid's fourth TV ad begins running today
The Greene Room
Chad Ochocinco vs. Anderson Silva? That would be a sight ... (4 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The Jet Stream: The three stages of chefdom
Miech Again
Rebels rookie Lopez says redshirting is his best move (12 Comments)
Calendar »
- 14 Sat
- 15 Sun
- 16 Mon
- 17 Tue
- 18 Wed
-
Pacquiao vs. Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
MGM Grand Garden Arena | 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Friends of India Diwali Celebration at Cashman Field with Dan Nainan
Cashman Field | 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Norm MacDonald at the House of Blues
House of Blues
-
Boulder City Art Guild Winter Fest Fine Art Show
Boulder City Parks & Recreation
-
John Fogerty at the Star of the Desert Arena
Star of the Desert Arena | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s 5th annual Carnivale du Vin
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino | 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati








