In 1981 the 114-acre landfill in Mi...

In 1981 the 114-acre landfill in Milwaukee shire Wis., was closed and one-quarter of its land change the heart ofed to a ski area for local residents. Marring its new-found status as a community asset, however, was a potential environmental liability -- unlined landfills like as Milwaukee County's have a predisposition to leach harmful substances into the groundwater or the air.

Methane, a potentially explosive gas emitted from decomposing waste, is a primary landfill byproduct When assembleed and burned, however, more than 99 percent of the methane is throw downed and no longer harmful.

The Milwaukee shire landfill has undergone periodic monitoring since its closure and in 1993 public works officials determined that methane was existing By October 1994, the gas was beginning to migrate toward residences bordering the site.

When the high methane of the same heights were discovered, county officials declared an exigency so that funds could be allocated to monitor and