TONOPAH -- A closure plan for the Pahrump landfill will be submitted to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection next month, extending the closure date from 2009 to at least 2017.

Southwest Environmental Services, operators of the Pahrump landfill for Nye County since November 2004, was awarded a $27,500 change order to prepare the updated closure plan at a county commission meeting here May 6.

The company also received a $9,958 change order to install 12 gas monitoring wells.

Nye County has long-term plans to build a new landfill just north of the Last Chance Range near Johnnie.

Southwest Environmental Services contracts with Pacific Waste Services Inc. for its engineering, planning and permit compliance issues at the landfill.

Southwest Environmental's original contract in 2004 was for $633,320. Consumer price index adjustments, the initiation of a recycling program, the removal of the Tonopah landfill operations, and the latest change orders bring their current annual contract to $898,807.

The final grading of the landfill will match the top deck surface prepared previously by SRK Consultants, under the closure agreement. Areas within the landfill not previously filled with garbage will be loaded with refuse, according to the latest plan. Two new storm water detention basins will be incorporated into the design to control runoff.

A landfill site beautification pilot program will be developed using screening berms and native vegetation.

Nye County Assistant Manager Pam Webster told commissioners Southwest Environmental Services extended the life of the landfill beyond the original 2009 date due to recycling and other programs.

In a memo to county commissioners about the methane gas monitoring wells, Nye County Public Works Director Samson Yao wrote, "Over the past year the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has become increasing persistent in requiring the county to implement this program immediately."

Nye County originally proposed a quarterly monitoring program of landfill gas at specific locations around the perimeter of the landfill at depths of from eight to 15 feet.

In the event one of the landfill gas readings exceeds 25 percent of the lower explosive limit in the monitoring points, Nye County will take all necessary actions to ensure protection of public health and safety, the agreement states. Nye County will continue monitoring landfill gas emissions after closure of the dump.