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County staff weigh options for abandoned vehicles and potentially asbestos‑containing material
Summary
Staff discussed complications under abandoned‑vehicle statutes, temporary holding/disassembly at a county pit, and the very high cost and regulatory complexity of testing and disposing potentially asbestos‑containing material; they said they are coordinating with EPA and licensed contractors.
Bonneville County public works staff discussed options July 14 for managing abandoned vehicles and potentially asbestos‑contaminated material at a storage site, noting legal constraints and high disposal costs.
The public works director summarized conversations with legal and solid‑waste staff about the abandoned‑vehicle statute and said the county is exploring temporary handling options rather than repeatedly moving vehicles between private towing yards. “We’re trying to figure out what to do with the abandoned vehicles; Dennis is going through the abandoned vehicle statute,” the director said, adding that the county may establish a temporary holding area (the hatch pit) to dismantle or store vehicles pending statutory clearance.
Staff and the director then discussed material suspected of containing asbestos. One participant said fully declaring a mixed pile as asbestos would require expensive handling and packaging and could trigger costly disposal requirements. “If they do that, then that’s all — every bit of that would have to be loaded, triple bag wrapped,” the director said, noting disposal rates would be “astronomical.” A staff member estimated hazardous disposal could cost hundreds of dollars per unit.
County staff said they are coordinating with the EPA and licensed contractors to evaluate testing and handling options that could lower costs, including segregating suspect material for testing rather than declaring entire loads asbestos‑containing. The meeting did not produce a final decision; staff directed follow‑up with legal and contractors to identify feasible, cost‑effective disposal and handling plans.
