BRAINERD — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency published a report on the potential environmental impacts of the proposed expansion to the Crow Wing County Landfill.

The public is invited to comment on the environmental assessment worksheet, accessible at
tinyurl.com/cwceaw
.

The proposed expansion would add almost 4 million cubic yards to the landfill across 48.3 acres to the north and west, extending its lifespan by about 15 years. The county has used the existing landfill for municipal solid waste disposal since 1991 and the expansion will meet future needs for waste disposal.

The landfill already has a system for monitoring groundwater quality, which will be maintained in the expansion. The system monitors potential contaminants including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, which are manufactured chemicals that do not break down in the environment.

The landfill expansion will also include a liner to collect any water leaching out of the landfill. A similar liner is already used in the existing landfill. Water that leaches out of the landfill is sampled for PFAS.

According to the report, gas collection systems will also be developed at the landfill, which prevent methane gas from being released and can be used to generate electricity.

Construction of the expansion will happen in phases, with the first being in 2027. Public comments on the environmental assessment will be accepted until July 31. After comments are reviewed, the project will proceed through permitting if no need for additional environmental review is found.