Public Informational Hearing for Wetland Disturbance - 8/25/2026 - 6 PM

The City of Franklin, Wisconsin, held a public informational hearing on August 25, 2026, regarding Waste Management of Wisconsin’s application for an individual wetland permit for the proposed Metro landfill expansion. The approximately 72-acre expansion would provide an estimated 14.7 million cubic yards of capacity and extend the facility’s operating life by about 11.5 years. The application seeks permanent impacts to 11 wetlands totaling approximately 7.66 acres; the applicant says five wetlands totaling 10.21 acres would be preserved and proposes compensatory mitigation, setbacks, and long-term monitoring. The Wisconsin DNR’s preliminary decision is to tentatively deny the permit. No vote or procurement action occurred.

Most speakers—including Franklin and neighboring community officials, a state representative, and residents—urged the DNR to reconsider, citing regional waste-disposal needs, potential costs and truck impacts if waste is sent elsewhere, and host-community revenues. Other comments raised questions about the negotiated expansion boundaries, the basis for denying impacts to these wetlands, and possible effects on nearby private wells; the DNR said well concerns are addressed through a separate solid-waste permitting review. Written comments were accepted through September 4, 2026. No procurement-related activity was identified.