Taking steps toward construction of a new waste-handling facility and expansion of the campus landfill, the University of California, Davis, has released environmental impact reports for both projects and set public hearings. The landfill report has been revised since the first version was published in August 1994, and is being recirculated for additional public review. Copies of the draft environmental impact report for the proposed environmental services facility and the revised environmental impact report for the landfill are available at the campus Planning and Budget Office, 752-9259, or can be reviewed at the Yolo County Library and the reserve desk of Shields Library on campus. The public review period for both begins today and extends to May 22. Public hearings on the reports are set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at the campus Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center for the environmental services facility, and for 7 p.m. Monday, May 8, in the Cabernet Room of the Silo on campus for the landfill proposal. Below are brief descriptions of both projects. Environmental Services Facility This facility would replace the existing one built in 1971 off La Rue Road, providing state-of-the-art equipment and handling of hazardous wastes generated by teaching and research laboratories and other campus activities. The 44,000 gross-square-foot building would be located on 6.7 acres west of Highway 113, a half mile south of Hutchison Drive and next to Agricultural Services headquarters. It would be the site for the collection of chemical, biological/medical and low-level radioactive waste materials. These materials would be held, processed as appropriate, and transported to recycling or disposal facilities. With construction costs of $10.7 million, the facility would be funded through state capital improvement funds. Construction is expected to be completed by 1998. Expansion of Campus Landfill Revision of the operating permit for the existing campus landfill and expansion of the site to meet future campus needs are critical elements of plans on campus for handling future waste. The 28-year-old landfill occupies 23 acres of campus property northwest of the point where County Road 98 crosses Putah Creek. Acceptable wastes at the landfill are limited to non- hazardous and "non-designated" wastes -- similar to those at the Yolo County landfill. Medical wastes and laboratory wastes are sterilized or treated to make them non-hazardous and are considered refuse when they are accepted at the landfill. The expanded landfill is expected to add approximately 16 acres of fill space and 14 acres for ancillary activities. With a state-of-the-art design, the new landfill will be lined and will incorporate leachate-recovery and groundwater-monitoring systems. Although the campus operates recycling programs and encourages increased recycling practices by members of the campus community, additional landfill space is still needed. The campus has also prepared plans for cleaning up soil and groundwater contamination at the existing landfill, as well as for controlling gas migration resulting from decomposition of the materials in the landfill.