Iowa Attorney General Tom MIller announced this afternoon he has filed a lawsuit against the Northwest Iowa Area Solid Waste Agency near Sheldon.

Residents from the area counties of Sioux, O’Brien, Osceola, Clay and Lyon Counties may dispose of trash at the landfill. The lawsuit alleges landfill managers did not install proper liners or a collection system to ensure hazarous liquids and other materials from about 300,000 tons of garbage didn’t leach into the soil. Prosecutors point to a 2007 state law that requires the liners and “leachate” collection system for landfills.

The lawsuit also alleges two cells for garbage went under construction before the landfill got the required state permits.

Landfill managers referred questions to Des Moines lawyer James Brick, who was not available late this afternoon for comment.