ter studies. In addition, he asked for “a real

ter studies. In addition, he asked for “a real financial plan” to show the cost of solid waste disposal there for a five-year period. He also requested “a worse case analysis” on the contamination potential.

“I don’t think a decision can be made until we do have a very good hydrological study,” said Ellis Bingham, the supervisor from Jackson District. And if the landfill is constructed on the Stover tract, the leachate lagoon should be included in the first phase of construction, he said, noting that he would recommend this change to the Board of Supervisors. But getting the full board to follow his recommendation will be like “trying to stack ping pong balls in a wind tunnel,” Col. Bingham added.

Using a septic tank to hold leachate as an interim measure is “cost effective,” Mr. Wright said. However, he agreed that protection of health and the environment would be improved by having the leachate collection system’s lined lagoon “constructed from day one.”

While asking for additional information on the perched water system, Mr. Wright noted that “normally the shallow aquifer in rural areas of Virginia is sacrificial.” This seasonal system disappears during the dryer months of the year and generally has “water of very poor quality.” The perched water system on the Stover tract “may not be worth saving” but such shallow aquifers “shouldn’t be written off,” he said, adding that the Citizens Committee has raised a “valid question that deserves a valid answer.”

“Once we have addressed in detail what’s going on with the aquifers, we probably could, engineering-wise, build a landfill but the cost would be almost prohibitive,” Col. Bingham predicted.

“But the price should be up front — all of it — what it’s going to cost to operate,” insisted Mr. Carter. “I think every citizen in Rappahannock County should have this knowledge.”

“It may be cheaper to ship it out,” added the Jackson District supervisor, saying his request for a de