Operations plan for asbestos cell approved by health board

The Lincoln County Health Board approved an operations and maintenance plan for the Libby Landfill asbestos cell during a Sept. 14 meeting.

The plan outlines how landfill operators should manage public access, handle contaminated waste and use equipment to maintain the class IV cell. The total capacity of the asbestos cell is 173,400 cubic yards, according to the plan.

Officials estimate that 100,000 cubic yards of asbestos will be dumped at the site. So far, operators have disposed of a total of 75,500 cubic yards of asbestos containing material and soil cover in the cell.

Officials with the county health department first presented the plan to the panel at a meeting in June.

Board member Jim Seifert made a motion to accept the plan. His colleague Amy Fantozzi offered a second. The final vote was unanimous.

The plan will appear before the county board of commissioners at an upcoming meeting.