Key Environmental Committee Advances Sen. Foung Hawj’s Bill to Establish a Task Force to Clean Up Pig’s Eye Landfill

by Senator Foung Hawj
March 16, 2022

St. Paul-Senator Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul) said today that his legislation to establish a task force to explore ways to accelerate the clean up the Pig’s Eye Landfill, located on St. Paul’s East Side, has been advanced by the SenateEnvironmentPolicy Committee.

Senator Hawj said the landfill, which contains harmful contaminants that leak into nearby waterways, including the Mississippi River, is a threat to the people and wildlife in the area. The site contains high levels of pollutants, including metals, mercury, and PFAS/PFOS. The contaminants, especially the PFAS, have impacted wildlife in the area and threaten all downstream communities that rely on the Mississippi River for their water supply.

“For many decades, the city and community have been hoping to get the Pig’s Eye Landfill cleaned up and restored so that it can be turned into a park that can be enjoyed by citizens,” said Senator Hawj.“This legislation will establish a task force made up of representatives from city, county, state, and federal agencies and other stakeholders and give them the resources to make that vision a reality. I am pleased my bill is moving in the Senate.”

Under Sen. Hawj’s bill, the task force must begin work by October 2022 and report annually on the task force’s work.

Senator Foung Hawj
Senate District 67
Foung Hawj represents District 67, which includes the east side of Saint Paul in Ramsey County in the central Twin Cities metropolitan area.
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