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Solid Waste Board weighs enforcing ban on bulky and construction debris at county collection sites
Summary
Board members and staff discussed whether to enforce an existing policy that limits county collection sites to residential waste only, noting enforcement could reduce on-site construction debris but might increase illegal roadside dumping; the board will prepare recommendations for the county commissioners in June.
Park County's Solid Waste Board discussed enforcing a current policy that prohibits disposal of large bulky items and construction and demolition debris at county collection sites during its May 22 meeting. Staff told the board the county has not strictly enforced that portion of the policy and asked the board for direction before the next fiscal year.
The board reviewed the policy language, which restricts county collection sites to residential solid waste and requires bulky or construction debris to be transported to a licensed landfill or transfer station. Staff said enforcing that restriction will likely prompt pushback from residents who currently drop bulky items at collection sites and warned enforcement could push illegal dumping to roadsides if the county does not provide accessible alternatives.
Staff outlined several enforcement and mitigation options for the board to recommend to the Park County Commission, including: requiring contractors to use commercial bins for construction waste, instituting civil penalties or code-enforcement citations for illegal dumping, placing attendants at busy sites, or restricting site access. Staff said an attendant or onsite monitoring could reduce on-site dumping but would increase operating costs.
Staff also discussed alternatives for residents who cannot use county collection sites for bulky items, pointing to private or city-operated facilities such as the City of Livingston Transfer Station and commercial haulers (L and L site services and Paradise Waste) and noting the county already charges per-ton fees at some facilities. Board members discussed the economic incentives that lead residents to use free county collection sites rather than paid alternatives.
The board discussed the use of solid-waste tags as a compliance tool. Staff said some site operators are asking visitors to display proof of a solid-waste tag and that short-term rentals and remote renters create enforcement challenges. Board members suggested allowing a photograph of the tag on a phone or a printed copy as proof when a physical tag cannot be displayed.
No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting. Staff asked the board to review the fee policy and rate schedule and prepare a recommendation for the commission; the item will return to the board's June agenda for further direction.
