Final Site Selection Report Kittitas_082118

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SECTION 1 EN1213161143SAC DRAFT – 12/23/16 1-1 Introduction Kittitas County intends to construct a new solid waste transfer station, compost facility, moderate risk waste (MRW) facility, and recycling depot at a new location (that has yet to be determined). The new facility will replace the existing Ellensburg transfer station and will be designed to address some existing site challenges and prepare the County for future growth. The County has retained CH2M HILL, Inc. (CH2M) to perform preliminary engineering services in support of the development of this new solid waste transfer station. The project will also accomplish the following: comply with local planning and state (Washington Administrative Code 173-350-310) regulations; efficiently manage all material types (solid waste, recyclables, and green waste); provide safe operation for customers and workers; be cost effective; be designed to efficiently process material; and address community concerns. The project is expected to be conducted in multiple phases. This report summarizes the work conducted as part of the first phase (Phase A – Project Initiation and Programming) and incudes the basis of design and conceptual layouts for this facility. 1.1 Project Background and Objectives The existing Ellensburg transfer station has location and size constraints. Located in a floodplain, the facility is closed because of customer access issues during significant rainfall or spring runoff events. The facility is also undersized for the number of customers using the facility. The small size of the facility results in long queuing times and potentially unsafe conditions within the small unloading and processing areas. The new transfer station will be designed to address these limitations and to fit the current and long-term needs of the County. The new facility will include a transfer building, composting area, MRW building, and recycling depot as well as various administrative, parking, and other required elements. 1.2 Service Area The existing Ellensburg transfer station, located within the City of Ellensburg, off Industrial Way, is one of two solid waste transfer stations used by County residents. Waste Management, Inc. is the current operator of the transfer facility. Solid waste generated by commercial accounts and residents from Kittitas County is hauled to this transfer station where the solid waste is loaded into transfer trailers and transported approximately 80 miles to the Greater Wenatchee Landfill in Douglas County, Washington. The population of Kittitas County in 2010 was 40,915. Table 1-1 shows the annual population estimates prepared by the State of Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM) for 2015 through 2035. These population values and estimates do not account for the rather large transient student population associated with the Central Washington University in Ellensburg (enrollment of approximately 11,000 students). Population estimates in Table 1-1, indicate a 31 percent average increase in population from 2015 to design horizon 2035. The new transfer station will need to accommodate this significant growth.