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Posted: 3/26/02 Auditor's report reveals improper landfilling of hazardous waste at Buffalo landfillby T.W. Budig A Legislative auditor's report released today (March 26) on the Department of Transportation reveals a series of compliance irregularities by MnDot concerning the removal and disposal of hazardous materials. Specifically, the reports indicates that MnDot and Hennepin County engineers did not properly control lead paint residue removal from bridges. According to the auditor, some 117 tons of lead paint blasting residue was improperly disposed of at the Superior FCR Landfill in Buffalo. The auditor's report states that concerns over the management of lead paint blasting residues has been cited in internal MnDot audits for five consecutive years, 1997 to 2001. Sen. Mark Ourada, R, Buffalo, said he couldn't understand how hazardous material could be hauled to an inappropriate site. "Why they (MnDot and the contractor) would do that is beyond me," he said. "And why MnDot wouldn't make sure this wasn't happening is a mystery too," he said. "I want to get to the bottom of this," said Ourada, speaking just minutes after the report was released. Besides the improper disposal of the 117 tons of blasting material, the auditor also reports that a manifest for 20 cubic yards of lead paint blasting residue cannot be found. It also cites numerous bookkeeping omissions in regard to hazardous waste control by MnDot. A spokesperson at Superior FCR Landfill said management was unaware of the auditor's report and needed to first study it before commenting. About 14 percent, or 634 of 4672 state bridges, contain lead paint, according to the auditor. About five percent, or 751 of 15,293 local bridges contain lead paint. It's thought the amount of lead paint residue needing to be disposed of will decrease in the future, the audit notes. In a letter to the state auditor's office, Commissioner El Tinklenberg concurred with the audit's findings. |