Laserfiche WebLink
2020 Solid Waste and Moderate <br />Risk Waste Management Plan Update <br /> <br />AX0304191054PDX 9-5 <br /> Responding to complaints regarding improper storage and disposal of solid waste. <br /> Investigating illegal dumping and nonpermitted dump sites. <br />9.1.2.3 Washington Department of Ecology <br />Ecology has the primary authority for solid waste at the state level and acts as an advisor to the SWAC. <br />Ecology assists local governments in the planning process by reviewing, providing comments, and <br />approving preliminary and final drafts of solid waste management plans. This review is to ensure that <br />local plans conform to applicable state laws and regulations. In its Guidelines for the Development of <br />Local Solid Waste Management Plans and Plan Revisions, Ecology offers recommendations on the <br />preparation of solid waste management plans. Ecology also makes recommendations and comments on <br />reviews of solid waste handling and disposal permits to ensure that the proposed site or facility conforms <br />to applicable laws and regulations. <br />Although primary enforcement for solid waste management is through jurisdictional health departments, <br />Ecology has a range of enforcement authorities under various statutes to address existing or potential <br />sources of pollution, including those which result from improper solid waste handling and management. <br />For instance, Ecology has broad authority to take enforcement actions under the State Water Pollution <br />Control Act, the Hazardous Waste Management Act, and the Model Toxics Control Act. Collectively, <br />these laws allow Ecology to issue orders and impose penalties for noncompliance. Under some <br />circumstances, Ecology may also take direct action to remedy threats to public health and the <br />environment and seek to recover costs from potentially liable parties. <br />In some instances, Ecology may assume the duties and responsibilities of jurisdictional health <br />departments. Chapter 70.95.163 RCW authorizes local health departments to enter into an <br />agreement with Ecology to assume some, or all, of their solid waste regulatory responsibilities and <br />authorities, such as biosolids and septage permitting and enforcement. <br />9.1.2.4 Washington Department of Agriculture <br />An Agriculture Representative of the KCHD currently serves on the SWAC. Chapter 70.95.095 states the <br />WSDA is required to review the draft plan and shall advise the County during writing of the preliminary <br />draft plan. Comments received by Agriculture are to be incorporated into the Plan. Concerns have been <br />raised recently by WSDA about transporting mixed organics and garbage to eastern Washington and the <br />potential for these practices to introduce apple maggots from quarantine areas to apple-growing areas. <br />This is discussed further in Chapter 6.3.2. <br />9.1.2.5 Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission <br />A WUTC Representative reviews the Draft SWMP Update. The WUTC regulates solid waste collection <br />activities under Chapter 81.77 RCW, through the issuance of certificates entitling private companies to <br />provide solid waste collection services within specified geographic areas of the state. Chapter 70.95.096 <br />RCW also grants the WUTC the authority to review solid waste management plans to assess solid waste <br />collection cost impacts on rates charged by collection companies regulated under Chapter 81.77 RCW <br />and to advise the County and Ecology of the probable effects of the Plan’s recommendations on those <br />rates. <br />The WUTC regulates the collection of solid waste in unincorporated areas of the County. The WUTC’s <br />enforcement mechanisms include fines and revocation of the right of private collectors to collect solid <br />waste. The WUTC also enforces against companies that illegally collect solid waste without a certificate. <br />~ ~