Southern Oklahoma Regional Disposal (SORD)

PROJECT PURPOSE

The SORD landfill serves most of the population of a six-county region of approximately 150,000 people that includes Love, Carter, Murray, Johnston, Marshall, and Bryan Counties. Regional population growth (7% since 2010) coupled with existing disposal facilities reaching their capacity demands that new landfill areas be created to meet the requirements of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). This is the only landfill serving the defined six-county region of benefit. A volume analysis conducted by SCS Engineers shows that the existing landfill cells will reach their capacity in December of 2023 (about 2.4 years from July of 2021 when the study was completed). There will be negative consequences to groundwater quality as well as the potential for increased stormwater runoff contamination if these landfill expansions cannot be made in time. The purpose of this project is to construct new landfill areas, referred to as ?Cell 3/4?, to help mitigate potential water pollution, and to handle the region?s disposal needs for at least the next five years. The proposed 5-year cell is approximately 16.2 acres and would provide 1,616,600 Cubic Yards of fill space ? enough to last about five years based on projected annual waste acceptance rates.

EVIDENCE

SORD has contracted with SCS Engineers (Environmental Consultants) of Yukon, OK, to complete the pre-engineering and cost estimates needed to proceed immediately with this critically needed project once it is funded. An overview of estimated costs and a construction drawing has been attached to this application.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

This investment will affect rural areas of a region of benefit that comprises a six-county region of benefit including Love, Carter, Murray, Johnston, Marshall, and Bryan counties. This project is a major opportunity for creation of social equity in an historically disadvantaged and diverse region of the United States via improvements to existing infrastructure that will help improve and protect water quality in the region. As shown on documents attached to this application, the region of benefit is economically distressed with a per capita personal income (PCPI) that is 68.5% of the U.S. national average of $56,490. The region contains four Federal Opportunity Zones (OZs) in Johnston, Carter, Marshall, and Bryan counties that are also Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs). The entire region is contained by Federal Tribal Lands. These segments of historically disadvantaged as well as economically distressed populations have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 disaster.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

This project?s performance will be measured by the requirements imposed by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). This project manages stormwater and/or subsurface drainage water supported by the Environmental Protection Agency?s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) for Stormwater and Nonpoint Source pollution management under CWA section 319 and will be managed according to ODEQ directives.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma