In September 2006 a new controversy over the Chef Menture landfill is emerging. The Chef  landfill charges more than other landfills however Waste Management and the Mayor have fought hard to keep the site open. Their explanation is that debris removal to sites in Jefferson Parish is slower and more costly because of the additional transportation costs and time. Environmental objections to the site eventually succeeded in getting it closed down but over stiff administration opposition.

Federal investigators are reviewing the contract between Waste Management and the City of New Orleans regarding debris removal and use of the Chef dump site. Waste Management is paid by city. The city is 100% by FEMA, for debris pickup and disposal from around the city. Sounds good so far. So why does Waste Management in turn pay 22% of its fee back to the city?

Is the city overpaying WM? Is the city over charging FEMA? Why was the site opened by Emergency Order of the Mayor without Council action over objections? Susan Collins says "It looks like an elaborate scheme to enrich the city of New Orleans." at taxpayer expense. NBC featured it a "Fleecing of America" article. Others believe the extra money was slated for private pockets, not public projects.

---

Compare this to the controversy over the removal of abandoned automobiles from the city streets. Nagin initially approved a deal to pay $1,000 per car because FEMA was reimbursing the expense.