A bill is headed to the Governor that would give Madison County residents the authority to say whether or not any additional garbage dumps could be established in their community. The bill must be considered by the Governor by March 10 or it will automatically become law.
HB 949 was voted through the Mississippi House and Senate nearly unanimously, and now heads to Governor Tate Reeves’ desk. It would specifically prohibit a third landfill from being built in Madison County, unless voters are given the opportunity to vote on it.
“This was a bipartisan issue that had the opportunity to negatively effect all property owners in Mississippi. I am most grateful to Rep. Ed Blackmon for agreeing to coauthor this bill with me. By working together, we will continue to do great things for the people of Mississippi,” said author of the bill and Madison Representative Jill Ford. “I am hopeful Governor Reeves will see the importance in signing this bill into law.”
A proposed NCL landfill was recommended to go in western Madison County because of the closeness to the municipal landfill.
NCL Waste, LLC has been seeking approval from the state to place a landfill at 2858 North County Line Road for years. Last year, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) tabled the proposal. NCL continued putting pressure on the Madison County Board of Supervisors for the location, but it was opposed by locals including supervisors.
Community leaders that have opposed the landfill include Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee, Jackson Mayor Chockwe Antar Lumumba, former U.S. Senator Trent Lott, the Ridgeland Board of Alderman, Canton Mayor William Truly, Canton Board of Aldermen, Hinds County Board of Supervisors, some of the Madison County Supervisors, Ridgeland Alderman D.I. Smith and thousands of citizens.
“I’m just so grateful for the people in our community,” said Sylvia Thomas of the North Livingston Homeowner’s Association. “We’ve fought this proposed landfill for many years, and we were worries sick about a second landfill’s impact on our neighborhood. We thank our legislative leaders for standing up for us and putting the people’s interests before the interests of a big company.”
If the landfill was built, Madison County would be the only county in Mississippi with three of these landfills. Opponents from across the political spectrum have agreed that an unneeded landfill will harm property values as well as quality of life and the environment.
“This is a victory for economic development in our area,” said Katie Warren, 2020 President of the Central Mississippi REALTORS. “Our organization is invested in growing neighborhoods and communities, and this will give more opportunity for families to build houses and the local economy to thrive.”
Sarah Ulmer
