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Plumas County raises Chester green-waste fee to $7 per cubic yard after finding program underpriced
Summary
The board approved a resolution and an amendment to a green-waste memorandum of understanding to increase self-haul green-waste fees at the Chester Green Waste site from $5 to $7 per cubic yard after staff found existing fees did not cover program costs.
Plumas County supervisors approved a fee increase May 6 for self-haul green-waste dropped off at the Chester Landfill green-waste site, raising the charge from $5 to $7 per cubic yard.
Public Works and Solid Waste staff presented a nexus analysis showing the existing $5-per-yard fee did not cover the program's direct costs, which include labor by county road crews to manage and pile material, cost for seasonal burning or disposal, and attendant oversight under the county's service agreement. Staff said improved efficiencies negotiated with the waste-hauler operator reduced projected cost increases, but the fee adjustment is necessary to make the program solvent.
Staff also described parallel efforts to explore alternatives to burning, such as air-curtain burners on loan from Cal Fire, composting pathways and partnerships to create mulch or biochar, but noted source separation and processing requirements complicate those options and would require further community engagement.
After a public hearing with questions about composting, wood-gasification possibilities and use of volunteers and chipper programs, supervisors approved the resolution and an MOU amendment authorizing the board to set Chester green-waste fees. Solid Waste staff said the Chester site will operate Fridays and Saturdays and that Waste Management's regional staff have tightened load checks to reduce contamination.
