But the changing nature of technology and regulations makes

But the changing nature of technology and regulations makes long range cost projections virtually impossible, Mr. McCarthy said.

Just five months ago, the Virginia Department of Waste Management considered it “perfectly acceptable to lagoon leachate,” he said, as an example. ‘They won’t even look at that now! The state changes the rules all the time,” Mr. McCarthy said, adding that reliable cost estimates are impossible without constant design standards and regulations.

The preliminary design report for the Stover tract has been sent to the VDWM. “Next, they^ll say ‘We’U approve it with the addition of this and that.’ THEN we look at how much it’s going to cost and how it’s going to be phased.”

“The cost of the land is such ar insignificant amount of money com pared to what the total cost will be particularly 20 years down the road if technology doesn’t advance,” Mr Miller noted.

“We’re at the point where if wi get a nod from the state on the pre liminary design plans, we can go b the engineer and say, ‘Okay, if that’i what we’re going to build, how mud is it going to cost?’ ” Mr. McCarthy added.

“We’re always looking for alter natives. Once a landfill is approved hopefully we’ll continue looking,’ said Chairman Hubert Gilkey. “' don’t think burying trash in th< ground is the final word . . . I’m noi saying the site in Amissville is th< best site in the county but it is i workable site.”

As to the request for additions groundwater studies, Mr. McCarthy reported that Leonard Joyce ii working on such a proposal and wil bring it to the Board of Supervisor) for approval - and funding.

The indication at Monday's meet ing was that further hydrological in vestigation would get the go-ahead.

“If it’s a $2,000 or $3,000 opera tion, I see no problem with that,’ Mr. Miller concluded.