Lake Cavanaugh residents told the Skagit County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 28 that a temporary recycling plan tied to the road closure on North Shore Road is likely to create illegal dumping and other problems where households already travel to remote collection points.

Lorita Humble (also known in the record as Tweedy Lake Cavanaugh), the Lake Cavanaugh Community Center building manager, described a sequence of service changes that began after the North Shore closure in August 2021. Waste haulers initially supplied locked dumpsters located at the ends of the closed section; keys were provided only to paying customers. Humble said non‑customers and renters used the dumpsters or left trash beside them, attracting animals and leaving residents to clean up debris.

She described a later change to curbside trash collection at the nearest public road for residents who pay the same fees as households with driveway pickup. “The trucks were only able to drive to the closest side road where the truck had enough room and was able to turn around,” Humble said. “Therefore, waste management solution was to provide dumpsters at each end of the closed section for the residents on North Shore.”

Humble asked county staff to include her in continuing conversations with Waste Management and county operations as the county explores an interim recycling approach prior to issuing permanent curbside recycling bins that had previously been promised. She said she would not authorize placement of a full‑size recycling dumpster at the Community Center and asked the county to find alternatives that avoid overnight dumping, unsightly collection points for community events and increased workload for volunteers who manage the center.

County staff engagement and next steps

Humble said she and a fellow resident have a meeting scheduled with Public Works staff (Mike) to discuss options. County staff in the meeting acknowledged the operational challenge of providing curbside recycling to remote residences and said they were seeking a temporary approach that avoids the problems residents reported.

Context and why residents worry

Several Lake Cavanaugh households face longer walks to the nearest collection point since the road closure; residents pay the same hauling fees despite the added burden. Humble said past reliance on locked dumpsters failed when nonpaying users and guests left trash at the dump sites and animals scattered debris. She asked the county to ensure keys or secure pickup and to consult community representatives about dumpster siting before any interim solution is implemented.

Ending

County staff said they are continuing discussions and that Humble and other residents would be included in upcoming talks. Humble said she and a neighbor will meet with county staff later in the week to review feasible temporary steps toward a permanent curbside recycling rollout.