Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
EPPC increases oversight of three waste sites in Boyd County

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 2, 2005) -- The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC) has stepped up its monitoring and oversight of a solid-waste complex in Boyd County after the landfill company ceased operation and filed for bankruptcy.

Cooksey Brothers Disposal Co. filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The company’s motion is pending. The company simultaneously ceased operations at the site, which actually is three waste sites in one - a waste tire processing facility, plus landfills permitted for household waste and construction/demolition debris.

EPPC representatives have increased monitoring at the sites to prevent impacts to the environment as long-term closure measures are implemented.

The cabinet has taken enforcement actions Cooksey Brothers on multiple occasions for various environmental violations, some of which involved leachate that seeps from the landfills. Some enforcement actions remain in progress.

The cabinet has had an increased presence at the sites since May, when Cooksey Brothers filed an earlier bankruptcy action - a Chapter 11 petition for protection and reorganization.

EPPC will look to the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee to direct closure activities and to take actions to protect the environment until closure is completed. The cabinet will stand ready to assist the bankruptcy trustee in attempting to locate federal and state funds to accomplish the proper closure of the facilities.