Operators of the Lockwood Regional Landfill have jumped another hurdle on the path to expanding the existing 555-acre dump.
The Storey County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a special use permit allowing a 1,139-acre expansion of the landfill on land Waste Management owns adjacent to the existing landfill.
The new section would be just north of the landfill in the northern part of the county near Interstate 80.
William Carr, district manager for the landfill, told the commission that all designs are preliminary, but that only a small portion of the landfill would be visible from area roads.
Carr said the new section would be in use for about 125 years, and the company would reclaim the land.
Landfill projects are overseen by the Washoe County Health Department through an interlocal agreement with Storey County.
The plan complies with the Washoe County Solid Waste Management Board mandate that the landfill look ahead 20 years in its planning process.
"The rules we work under from the federal government on down to the local health departments are strict," Carr said. "They stipulate that fills have to be planned way in advance."
Commissioners Larry Prater and Bret Tyler opposed the permit, with Prater expressing concerns about contaminating the Truckee River. Carr said there was no risk to the river or its tributaries.
Under Storey County ordinances, the planning commission can merely offer recommendations, and the county commission then votes to approve or reject the recommendation.
Storey County building official Dean Haymore said the commission would likely consider the issue at its Nov. 20 meeting.
• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 881-7351.