County clarifies debris removal, asbestos testing and landfill rules after fires

County officials and Spokane Regional Clean Air staff used the Aug. 17 planning meeting to walk through debris-disposal rules that homeowners and contractors must follow after the fires. Lindsay, speaking from the county's waste-management partners, said the Graham Road landfill is the only landfill that can accept asbestos-bearing waste and that transfer stations may accept co‑mingled ash only when accompanied by a clean asbestos test (a notice of intent or NOI).

"Graham Road is the only landfill that can accept asbestos waste," Lindsay said. County staff and waste contractors emphasized that ash cannot be taken to the county's waste‑to‑energy plant and that anyone disposing of ash must carry the asbestos test result when delivering material.

Process steps and verification: Staff explained the typical sequence: contractors file an NOI with Spokane Regional Clean Air and use labs on an approved list for testing; if the ash is negative for asbestos, transfer-station options may be available; if positive or for contaminated loads, Graham Road remains the designated landfill. Waste Management and transfer-station operators have been advised to confirm tests before acceptance.

Public guidance: Officials said a single, consolidated public FAQ that pulls guidance from county building and planning, clean-air, and waste-management agencies would reduce confusion; commissioners asked staff to coordinate a unified document and keep it updated with revision dates.

No changes to policy were adopted at the meeting; officials said they will continue to clarify disposal locations and requirements in outreach documents for residents and contractors.