Wabasha County planning staff outlines hauler reporting, transfer-station deadlines and shrinking recycling network

Wabasha County commissioners received a presentation from county planning and zoning staff on the county's solid-waste program, including hauler licensing and reporting requirements, transfer-station licensing deadlines, household hazardous-waste events and the county's shrinking network of public recycling drop-offs.

The update, delivered by Kayla (planning and zoning staff), reviewed a list of licensed haulers operating in Wabasha County and the county's enforcement steps for late reporting. "Our haulers are required to submit an annual haulers license by November 15 of each year," Kayla said. She told commissioners monthly tonnage reports must be submitted by the 15th of the following month and that "the first infraction of the year is a warning"; subsequent missed monthly reports automatically trigger a $100 fine and additional late fees per the Wabasha County fee schedule.

The presentation said the county has three designated disposal locations that haulers may use depending on where waste is generated. Most commonly haulers deliver to La Crosse's French Island waste-to-energy facility and landfill and to Red Wing; Olmsted County facilities are an additional option. Kayla said the La Crosse facility converted roughly 85,000 tons of waste into energy annually and that in the previous year it received 83,925 tons from a five-county area, achieving a 75.5% conversion/diversion rate that produced enough electricity to power more than 7,000 homes. She said the current contract with the La Crosse (Excel) facility runs through 2030.

On transfer stations, Kayla said the county will move the annual transfer-station license application process into compliance with the county ordinance by requiring applications by Sept. 1 each year (previously those renewals were addressed on the December timeline). "Their transfer station license applications ... are due by September 1 each year," she said, and noted the county has not yet established an application fee for that process but could revisit fees later.

Kayla also reviewed recycling collection and household hazardous-waste efforts. She said several public recycling sheds in Kellogg, Conception, Zumbro Falls and Millville have permanently closed and that only the Plainview Highway Shop site remains within the county for public drop-off. Recycling roll-offs at Plainview accept materials by the public, and county recycling tonnage broken out by paper, metal, glass and plastics was summarized from state reports to the MPCA. On hazardous waste, she said Wabasha County collaborates with other counties for spring and fall events in Wabasha, Plainview and Lake City; participation fell during COVID and some recent events suffered low turnout due to poor weather.

Commissioners asked several operational questions during and after the presentation, including whether private businesses near transfer stations accept specific streams (tires, electronics) and whether rural residents have practical access to recycling drop-offs. Commissioners noted the principal constraint to expanding public recycling sites has been cost and the county levy impact required to fund additional sheds or roll-offs.

The board recessed to a budget work session after completing routine business. No formal new ordinance or contract change was adopted during the presentation; the planning and zoning update was informational and followed by questions and thanks from commissioners.