2017-10-25 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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Mr. Goodale said that all the improvements mentioned happened since the report came out in the 2009-10 framework. Many of the programs were already up and running, but in a limited capacity. They take the planning process seriously. They go through it thoroughly and look at the recommendations. They believe the outcomes make real differences in the way things are done. They are happy with what were able to accomplish, as it was a significant portion of the recommendations. They try to educate people about why all of this is important, why it makes a difference. He emphasized that the plan is not something that just sits on a shelf and no one looks at it. It is looked at regularly. The plan also has statistics which DEM shares with the public regularly and brings up at council meetings and with the administration. The plan is a well used document, and they go through it with a great deal of sincerity and expect to see good things come out of it. Though it is mandatory, at the same time it is a good opportunity for the county to reflect on what makes sense and how best to do things. He asked if there were any questions. Question from a member of the public: Jerome Warren said it is traditional in his neighborhood for people to burn their garbage, and he knows the toxicity of burnt plastic. He asked whether, when the pay-as-you-throw program is implemented, he can call DEM about the rubbish burners. Mr. Goodale said DEM cannot do anything about that, as it does not fall within their purview. The Fire Department would be one option, as well as the Clean Air Branch with the DOH. DEM is not in the enforcement business. Mr. Warren said that if pay-as-you-throw is implemented, more people will be burning their garbage. He knows what it’s like to have smoke from burning garbage blow to his home. Mr. Goodale said he would respectfully disagree. He came from Alaska, where there was a large percentage of people who burned their rubbish. When the program was implemented, the percentage of people who burned their refuse did not go up. He said the bad actors that dump rubbish where it doesn’t belong are going to do that regardless. The system does not get any easier than what the county provides, with 22 transfer stations. The county has a robust system. Commissioner Olson asked Mr. Goodale what his total budget is, and Mr. Goodale said it is about $30 million for the entire Solid Waste Division. Commissioner Olson asked if it came from the property tax, and Mr. Goodale said no, there is also revenue that comes from fees charged at landfills, in the neighborhood of $10 million. Commissioner Olson said they’ve been working on the idea of a disposal fee at the point of purchase, as that is more logical than trying to collect after the fact. They could start with white goods, and tires are still an issue. He asked whether the disposal fee money wanders from the state back to the county. Mr. Goodale said the county does not see any of that money. It goes to the retailer so the retailer has the money up front to deal with the processing of the tires they take in. 15