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Board approves Pullman-Moscow Airport inert landfill permit with conditions; staff sign-off required before operations
Summary
The Whitman County Board of Adjustment approved CU26-004 allowing the Pullman-Moscow Airport to use up to 60 acres as an inert landfill (6–8 million cubic yards), subject to required permits (solid waste, access, stormwater/erosion control) and an amended Condition 4 requiring staff review and timely approval of the approval letter.
The Whitman County Board of Adjustment voted April 23 to approve Conditional Use Permit CU26-004, authorizing the Pullman-Moscow Airport to operate an inert landfill covering up to 60 acres of a 64-acre parcel, with an estimated 6 to 8 million cubic yards of inert fill allowed. "Inert waste includes only cured concrete, asphaltic materials, brick and masonry, ceramic materials produced from clay or porcelain, glass, and stainless steel and aluminum," staff read into the record during the hearing.
The Board approved the permit with a set of conditions: the applicant must obtain necessary permits from Whitman County and other agencies (including a solid waste permit under WAC 173-350 if fill exceeds 250 cubic yards), obtain required access permits (City of Pullman and WSDOT where applicable), provide a stormwater and erosion control plan prepared by a licensed engineer, limit operations to specified hours (7 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays; no Sundays/holidays), implement dust and weed-control measures, and restore the site if operations cease. Assistant Planner Grace Di Biase told the board that a stormwater and erosion-control plan and Environmental Health approval are prerequisites for operations: "I requested a solid waste permit because for work to occur, we need to have that plan in place with the Health Department." (Assistant Planner Grace Di Biase).
Board members debated whether all permits should be in place before the hearing or whether the Board could approve the permit with the Planning Division issuing the approval letter only after those permits are received and reviewed. The Board amended Condition 4 to add that required permits "are reviewed and approved by staff in a timely fashion," a change moved by Rick Finch and seconded by Brian Davies. After the amendment, the conditional use permit was approved unanimously. Staff noted an appeal period of 21 days from the date of the approval letter and that applicants must cease work if an appeal is filed.
