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County emergency management presents solid-waste plan to satisfy state requirements, suggests transfer station option
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Summary
An EMA official urged the board to submit a county solid-waste plan to satisfy state/EPA guidance and avoid fines; options discussed included a county transfer station to reduce hauling time and capture tipping fees, and the presenter recommended immediate submission so the state can review.
An agency official responsible for emergency management and related county planning told the committee the county needs to submit an updated solid-waste plan to satisfy state and federal reviewers and avoid the prospect of enforcement or fines. "Pretty soon it's gonna get to the point where if we don't have one of these on file, they have the ability to start fining us," the official said.
The official outlined a potential transfer-station model in which local curbside packer trucks would off-load into a county transfer building; bulk loads would be consolidated and hauled to the nearest operating landfill. He said such a facility could reduce time county haulers spend waiting at distant landfills and potentially generate modest revenue from tipping fees and tonnage charges, though prior board restrictions limit how some solid-waste funds may be used.
He reported the county holds a certificate of deposit tied to the solid-waste fund and noted historical restrictions that limit expenditure of those funds to recycling-related activities. The presenter recommended submitting the draft plan to the state now so it can be reviewed and, if necessary, kicked back with guidance for required changes rather than risk missing a filing requirement.
Why it matters: state or EPA enforcement for missing or outdated solid-waste plans can carry fines or other corrective actions; a local transfer station could reduce hauling times and capture local tonnage revenue but may require further study and funding approvals.
Next steps: the board directed staff to review the draft, ensure the submission reaches state reviewers, and return with any state comments or required revisions.
