A resolution requesting the Mayor, the Department of Public Works, and the Board of Parks and Recreation to take the action necessary to convert the former Bordeaux sanitary landfill site into a park or wildlife refuge.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government is the owner of the former Bordeaux sanitary landfill property, which was permanently closed in the 1990's; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government has the responsibility for the post-closure care of the landfill site, which includes the monitoring of ground water, landfill gases and leachate collection systems; and

WHEREAS, monitoring of closed landfill sites can be required under federal law for up to thirty years; and

WHEREAS, the development of closed landfill sites is often problematic due to the various environmental concerns; and

WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website, parks and golf courses are appropriate uses of closed landfill sites; and

WHEREAS, cities such as Buffalo, NY; San Diego, CA; Boston, MA; and Westchester County, NY have successfully used closed landfill space for parks, protected wetlands, wildlife refuges, nature preserves, and other passive recreational uses; and

WHEREAS, for example, the Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, NY, which was a sanitary landfill for almost twenty years, is now home to more than 260 species of birds; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Government convert the closed Bordeaux landfill property, along with surrounding property, into a wildlife refuge or park for conservation and passive recreational purposes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Mayor, the Department of Public Works and the Board of Parks and Recreation to take the action necessary to convert the former Bordeaux sanitary landfill site into a park or wildlife refuge.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Mayor Bill Purcell, to Billy Lynch, the Director of the Department of Public Works, and to Roy Wilson, the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Section 3. That the Mayor, the Department of Public Works and the Board of Parks and Recreation are further requested to respond to the Council as to the feasibility of and/or compliance with the request stated in Section 1 hereof within ninety (90) days from the adoption of this Resolution.

Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Brenda Gilmore, Ludye Wallace, Vivian Wilhoite