County, contractors debate landfill use, grinding and temporary debris sites

Contractors asked whether the county expects them to operate temporary debris management sites (TDMS) for grinding and chipping or to bring material directly to the landfill. County staff said the RFP’s cost form requests pricing for operating a debris reduction site and that initial plans called for taking most material to the county landfill, which includes an asbestos cell for contaminated materials.

Vanessa of ER Assist said the RFP as issued requested pricing for debris‑reduction operations but that details about who will perform sorting, grinding and burning may be clarified in an addendum. "The way that the RFP went out is how the operations were originally planned — everything going straight to the landfill and any sort of work that needs to be done will be done there at the landfill," she said, while acknowledging the county may need to modify operations depending on volume and Forest Service or private‑owner plans.

Speakers noted that wet, woody debris is heavy and hauling distances vary (several miles to as much as 25 miles for West Fisher sites). Organizers said they have identified a primary disposal area with chipper and curtain burner capability and that proposers should budget for hauling and possible on‑site reduction if required by the county.