Farm groups object to expansion

Two prominent local agricultural groups have sent letters to the Montgomery County Fiscal Court and 109 Board expressing concern about a proposed Rumpke landfill expansion.

They are the Montgomery County Cattlemen’s Association and Montgomery County Farm Bureau.

In a letter dated Sept. 1, Cattlemen’s Association president Steve Hager notes the Cattlemen’s Board of Directors voted to issue the letter.

“On behalf of MCCA, we support the local beef cattle industry and ask the following legitimate issues to be evaluated before any consideration of expansion,” Hager wrote.

Among the concerns the letter cited are the potential loss of valuable farmland, predatory birds/animals, safety of farmers and negative economic impact.

The letter claims the likelihood of ongoing and continuing loss of farmland “inevitable.” It alleges Rumpke presently owns 1,000 to 1,100 acres, which “is no longer viable for agricultural production. The lost farmland and any adjoining acreage are and will not be suitable for future farmland or residential development.” It says the bigger impact is the lack of prospective buyers other than Rumpke.

The letter claims the landfill naturally attracts predatory animals and especially the black headed vulture. 

“These vultures pose a severe problem for the livestock producers and particularly prey on newborn calves,” it states in the letter.

The letter notes that in today’s market just one calf raised to feeder calf marketing would be between $2,000 and $2,500.

“This is a tremendous monetary loss and severe economic hardship for the beef cattle producers.”

The letter claims the proposed landfill expansion would result in an increase in garbage trucks on the road and make travel not only dangerous but difficult to move machinery/equipment from farm to farm.

While the MCCA supports beef cattle production, the letter notes that the community’s agricultural industry is diverse. 

The letter alleges that, for example, an agritourism site in the area could be negatively impacted by this expansion. Two main factors, the letter claims, as far as reduction in land value are odor and garbage truck traffic.

“The MCCA Board also recognizes that other issues concerning the landfill have been raised by citizens in the area,” Hager states in the letter. “We want to express that we consider the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of Montgomery County and the protection of our farmland as the top priorities factored in your decision regarding the proposed landfill expansion.

“The MCCA Board strongly urges that all these issues be given your full attention and analysis considering the landfill expansion, including potential alternative solutions,” the letter adds.

Byron Amburgey signed a letter dated Sept. 2 on behalf of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau, in which he is president.

The letter notes the local farm bureau serves more than 3,000 farm families in the county and since 1919 has served as the voice of agriculture in local communities.

“As a prominent part of Montgomery County, and the members we represent, we would like to express our concern about the proposed expansion of the Rumpke landfill that is located within the county,” Amburgey wrote.

“We recognize that the service of the Rumpke landfill is a great asset to this community and surrounding areas,” the letter continues. “However, the proposed expansion provides concerns of rural highway degradation, environmental degradation, water quality, water spillways and using acreage, which is already taking up usable farmland in the county. We understand that the current operation may be at its limits, however, we would encourage seeking alternative methods so that we keep Montgomery County clean and effective for the generations to come.”

The letter calls rural communities the backbone of Kentucky. It says that as an organization “we want to ensure that our members and citizens maintain a quality water source, good roads with access to markets, farmland to make products and services and clean space that meets not only state regulations, but also national regulations as well.”

The letter thanks the county for looking into the matter and expresses hope “that seeking alternative methods instead of an expansion will come to fruition.”