As the Carter County landfill works to recover from a devastating fire, a new service for local residents is also in the future.

Carter County Solid Waste Director Benny Lyons announced on Tuesday that he had received a draft copy of a new permit from the state that would allow the landfill to operate an air curtain incinerator to dispose of brush.

“I have to read over it and make sure I agree with it,” Lyons said. “Then I sign it and send it back. After that, they will issue our permit.”

Lyons filed his request for the permit with the state in September. The permit request had to undergo a public hearing as well as a review by state officials.

Once the permit is issued, Lyons said he would purchase the equipment and get it set up at the landfill. Members of the Carter County Commission approved a funding request from Lyons to use $25,000 from the operating transfer portion of his budget to purchase the air curtain incinerator. Because the funding to buy the equipment has already been approved, Lyons said as soon as the permit is granted he will be able to purchase the equipment and get it installed and in operation within a few days.

“Once I get my equipment and get it set up, they (the state) will come and run a test on it to make sure it’s going to meet the standards.”

After he gets the final operating approval from the state, Lyons said the landfill would once again be able to accept brush from residents. He said he is excited to be able to once again offer what he feels is a much-needed service to local residents. The landfill previously accepted brush but had to stop some years ago due to space constraints at the landfill.

With the new air curtain incinerator, landfill staff will be able to burn the brush rather than it taking up space. The design of the incinerator uses a curtain of air to prevent emissions from the burning process from entering the atmosphere.