TFEK Comprehensive Briefing on the Proposed Mega Landfill in Myra, Kentucky

 TFEK Comprehensive Briefing on the Proposed Mega Landfill in Myra, Kentucky

Overview

The proposed mega landfill in Myra, Kentucky—located between the communities of Dorton and Virgie in Pike County—would convert approximately 1,200–1,500 acres of former surface mine land into a multi‑state municipal solid waste (MSW) import hub. This project has generated significant public concern due to its scale, environmental risks, economic implications, and questions surrounding transparency in the approval process.

This document synthesizes all known facts, studies, analyses, and community‑driven research compiled through TFEK’s advocacy work.

Project Summary

Location: Myra, Pike County, Kentucky (between Dorton and Virgie)

Size: 1,200–1,500 acres of reclaimed mine land

Purpose: Regional MSW landfill accepting out‑of‑state waste

Capacity: Up to 15 million tons of waste over the project lifespan

Proponents: Private developers and affiliated corporate entities

Status: Early approval stages with limited public notice and contested transparency

Environmental and Public Health Risks

Air and Gas Migration

Landfills of this scale generate methane, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds.

Gas migration can extend hundreds of meters beyond the waste footprint.

Explosion‑risk zones typically extend 150 meters from active cells.

Water Contamination

The site sits above tributaries feeding Shelby Fork and Long Fork.

Leachate risks increase on reclaimed mine land due to fractured geology.

Extreme drought conditions—similar to Dust Bowl scenarios—can accelerate contaminant concentration and groundwater drawdown.

Soil Instability

Former surface mines often contain unconsolidated fill, increasing risks of:

Slope failure

Leachate channeling

Differential settling

Wildlife and Ecosystem Impacts

Habitat fragmentation across 1,500 acres

Increased scavenger species and decreased biodiversity

Potential impacts on Fishtrap Lake and downstream watersheds

Economic and Community Impacts

Negative Impacts

Depressed property values within 1–4 miles

Reduced tourism and outdoor recreation appeal

Increased heavy‑truck traffic on KY 805, 610, and 1469

Long‑term stigma associated with becoming a regional waste import site

Potential Claimed Benefits

Short‑term construction jobs

Limited host‑community fees (often offset by long‑term costs)

Possible reclamation of unusable mine land

TFEK Assessment

The economic benefits are short‑lived and disproportionately small compared to the long‑term environmental, reputational, and infrastructural costs.

Transparency and Procedural Concerns

No public notice found in the Kentucky statewide legal notice system.

Fiscal court meetings have seen hundreds of residents in opposition.

The Judge‑Executive continues to advance the project despite overwhelming public objection.

Host Community Agreement details have not been publicly disclosed.

Hazard Mapping Summary

TFEK’s technical mapping identifies the following risk zones:

150 m Red Zone: Immediate gas migration and explosion risk

1–2 mile Orange Zone: Highest health‑risk exposure

Up to 4 mile Yellow Zone: Extended environmental and economic impact zone

Nearby features include:

Virgie and Dorton communities

Shelby Fork and Long Fork waterways

Fishtrap Lake

Key transportation corridors

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros (as claimed by developers)

Reuse of former mine land

Temporary job creation

Potential host‑community revenue

Cons (based on studies and regional data)

Long‑term environmental degradation

Water contamination risks amplified by mine‑scarred geology

Air quality deterioration and odor impacts

Increased truck traffic and road wear

Depressed property values and reduced investment

Loss of regional identity and tourism potential

Multi‑state waste importation burden placed on a rural community

Environmental Impact Narrative

The Myra mega landfill represents a fundamental shift in how Eastern Kentucky’s land, water, and communities are valued. Transforming 1,500 acres of former mine land into a multi‑state waste hub places long‑term environmental burdens on a region already disproportionately affected by extractive industries.

The geology of reclaimed mine land is uniquely vulnerable: fractured strata, unconsolidated fill, and altered hydrology create pathways for leachate migration and slope instability. In drought conditions, contaminant concentrations rise, groundwater tables drop, and the risk of long‑term ecosystem damage increases.

Air emissions from a landfill of this scale—including methane, VOCs, and hydrogen sulfide—pose chronic health risks to nearby residents. Gas migration can extend beyond engineered boundaries, and odor plumes can travel miles under certain wind conditions.

Economically, the project risks locking Pike County into a waste‑import identity, undermining efforts to build a diversified, future‑focused economy centered on rail modernization, mixed‑use development, and sustainable industry. The short‑term financial incentives offered by developers do not offset the generational impacts on land value, public health, and regional reputation.

The overwhelming public opposition—expressed through petitions, packed fiscal court meetings, and community mobilization—reflects a shared understanding: this project threatens the long‑term stability, health, and identity of Eastern Kentucky.

Contact Information

Prepared by: The Future of Eastern Kentucky (TFEK)

Lead Advocate: Ray Ratliff

Email: rayratliff@tfek.org

Phone: 606‑477‑1301