Franklin County solid-waste plan presented to Pasco council; staff seeks adoption resolution

Wendy Mifflin, project manager for Herrera Environmental Consultants, presented the Franklin County Solid Waste Management Plan to the Pasco City Council, saying the document is the result of “a couple of years of work by the SWAC” and has moved through SEPA and regulatory review by the Department of Ecology and other agencies.

“The regulatory agencies commented and those have been addressed,” Mifflin said, summarizing the plan’s four goals: infrastructure and systems, economic sustainability, education, and response to outside influences such as product stewardship. Director Sarah told council the city and county executed an interlocal agreement and staff will bring a resolution of adoption forward so the county and cities can approve the plan before final Ecology review.

The plan contains strategies for waste prevention, recycling, organics collection and moderate-risk waste handling and recognizes the county’s unique, private-enterprise-operated collection system. Shirley Jones, who participated on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, said the committee reviewed every chapter and is confident the plan is complete. Staff asked council for questions and signaled they will return with the adoption resolution.

Why it matters: Updating the county solid-waste plan is a regulatory requirement and affects collection, recycling and tipping-fee policies that influence rates and service options for Pasco residents.