Clallam County kicks off two-year solid-waste plan update; Ecology lists statutory requirements and tools
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Summary
Department of Ecology planner Lacey Koeman briefed the SWAC on the county's required solid and hazardous waste plan revision, a typical two-year timeline, required elements under state RCW, organics/ORCA rules, equity and tribal consultation guidance, and data resources available via Ecology's Box site.
Lacey Koeman, Clallam County planner and a grant manager with the Washington Department of Ecology, outlined the county's solid and hazardous waste plan revision process and statutory requirements to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
Lacey told the committee the county's combined solid and hazardous waste plan is current until December 2026 and that the planning team is aiming for a revised plan by January 2027. She described a typical update process that includes a preliminary draft, Ecology review (120 days), incorporation of comments, public comment meetings, adoption by resolution and Ecology's final review (45 days) followed by a letter of acceptance.
She summarized required plan contents under RCW 78.2-205.045 and Ecology's Appendix K checklist: a six-year capital and acquisition projection, a designated recyclables list, descriptions of markets for recyclables, waste-reduction and source-separation strategies, and a 20-year solid-waste handling projection. Lacey also noted that counties first required to include an organics (CROP/ORCA) analysis in 2021 must now incorporate updates into plan revisions.
On organics and ORCA applicability, Lacey said Clallam County is not currently subject to ORCA but Port Angeles would be required to comply if its population reaches 25,000; she recommended checking the BOMA/ORCA maps annually. She encouraged early tribal consultation, plain-language and accessible public outreach, and use of Ecology's data and Box resources, which include templates, guidance and sample language for interlocal agreements and plan appendices.
Committee members discussed whether to issue an RFQ/RFP or perform more in-house work for the update. Lacey said plans often take two years but that progress and regular communication with Ecology will support timely completion. She offered to provide template documents, guidance on interlocal agreements and follow-up materials tailored to local needs.
Ending: Lacey provided her contact information and offered technical assistance, template language and follow-up presentations (including the Ecology organics team) to help jurisdictions meet RCW requirements and conduct public outreach during the revision.
