CLINTON - State Rep. Bill Mitchell believes DeWitt County residents should have input into a decision by a landfill company that wants to store chemical wastes at its site.

Mitchell, R-Forsyth, introduced legislation Friday that would require a binding referendum be approved by DeWitt County voters before PCB waste could be stored at the Clinton Landfill.

Peoria Disposal Co., parent company of Clinton Landfill owner Area Disposal, recently applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a permit to store wastes with a concentration of greater than 50 parts per million of PCBs, which is a blend of chemical compounds used in a variety of industrial products. The EPA has identified PCBs as probable cancer-causing substances. PCBs are a group of toxic, carcinogenic organized compounds which contain more than one chlorine atom.

Next month, voters in DeWitt County will be asked in an advisory referendum if the storage should be allowed at the Clinton Landfill. But Mitchell said, local citizens should have more say than that.

"The problem with an advisory referendum is that people who are opposed to this may get their hopes up, but sometimes there is no follow-through," Mitchell said at a Monday morning news conference in Clinton.

The legislation would be applicable statewide, Mitchell said. A vote in the House could come in March and if it is passed, the Senate could take action in May.

In September, Area Disposal announced plans to amend its host agreement with DeWitt County, clearing the way for a permit to be forwarded to the federal government to continue operations at the facility which include the storage of hazardous wastes. Shortly after that, a watchdog group was formed to oppose the plan.

Currently, the final decision will rest with the EPA.

Mitchell held a public forum on the landfill in November and was asked to reveal his stance by Matt Varble, president of WATCH (We're Against Toxic Chemicals). Mitchell declined to do so at that time, however the lawmaker said Monday that the group did not pressure him into filing the legislation.

Varble said it was a victory for his group's cause.

"We feel Rep. Mitchell took our input very well and is trying to respond to the needs and wants of his constituents," Varble said. "Through our grass roots effort, we have been able to see legislation proposed that would increase the public's say on whether this chemical waste permit should be allowed or not. Ultimately, it is a decision that should be partially left up to the residents."

Peoria Disposal officials were assessing the legislation and were waiting for the wording of the bill prior to issuing comment on it.

Kevin Barlow can be reached at kevin.barlow@yahoo.com.