News Release

MPCA Adds 60-acre Closed Landfill to Sandhill Crane Natural Area in East Bethel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 1999
Contact: Stacy Casey (651) 296-7769
Jean Hanson (651) 296-7390
Toll-free: (800) 657-3864
TTY: (651) 282-5332 or (800) 627-3529

Sandhill cranes in East Bethel now have an extra 60 acres of habitat, due to a unique closed-landfill plan created by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), city of East Bethel, Anoka County, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Under this plan, the East Bethel Landfill, which entered the MPCA's closed landfill program in 1995, is now a part of the Sandhill Crane Natural Area.

The 495-acre (with MPCA's addition) Sandhill Crane Natural Area was first established in 1994 by the city of East Bethel, Anoka County, the DNR and a citizens committee to protect local biological diversity. Its unique combination of several kinds of natural habitats provides homes for many plants and animals native to Minnesota, including three rare species - lance-leaved violet, Blanding's turtle and sandhill crane. In August 1999, the natural area's organizers and the MPCA agreed on adding the adjacent East Bethel Landfill. They then worked on a Memorandum of Understanding on how the closed landfill fits into the picture, detailing the landfill's proper land use. MPCA Commissioner Karen Studders signed this Memorandum of Understanding on Oct. 1.

"We're glad to be a part of improving a natural habitat area, but it's the local involvement that made this possible," Studders said. "We depended on the local input on how this closed landfill should be used."

The East Bethel Landfill, which operated from 1969 to 1995, entered the closed landfill program in 1995 and was covered in 1995 and 1997. As part of the cover process, the MPCA installed ground water wells and gas extraction wells to monitor the landfill's water quality and release of methane. The Minnesota Legislature created the closed landfill program in 1994, authorizing the MPCA to assume responsibility for long-term care and maintenance of landfills in the program.

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