The authority used environmental studies, field-investigation results and information from public, state, local and federal agencies to support its environmental findings.

Excavation, erosion, impacts to surface, ground water and wetlands, wildlife issues and property-value impacts are expected to be explained in the environmental-impact statement, along with mitigation plans.

Questions from the public will be limited to these topics, Stewart said, and it is not the proper forum to object to the landfill or its operation or the authority as a whole.

If speakers finish by 8 p.m., the meeting will be closed.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments may do so until May 30.

FLOW CONTROL

The authority has an approved annual capacity of 125,000 tons of municipal-solid waste.

Last summer, the agency instituted flow control, which directs all garbage generated in Franklin County must go to the county's landfill. The only exception is the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, which negotiated a trash-disposal deal with the Clinton County Regional Landfill in Schuyler Falls.

Stewart said the landfill has taken in 1,500 extra tons of trash since flow control started in July.

draymo@pressrepublican.com