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Jefferson County Public Health –Performance Measures 2010 - Report
SOLID & HAZARDOUS WASTE
MISSION: The mission of the Solid Waste Code Compliance and Education Program is to
enforce Washington State and Jefferson County solid and hazardous waste code, educate the
community about ways to reduce solid and hazardous waste, and to promote the goals and
objectives for solid waste reduction and recycling outlined in the Jefferson County
Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.
GOALS FY 2010:
1. Investigate all solid and hazardous waste complaints.
2. Resolve solid and hazardous waste violations through voluntary compliance or
citations and legal action when necessary.
3. Reduce the incidence of illegal dumping.
4. Assure all permitted facilities (past & present) meet current regulation standards.
5. Increase public awareness of small quantity generator and household hazardous
waste (HHW) disposal requirements and options through education and outreach
efforts.
6. Promote reduction, re-use, and recycling of resources to facilitate the County goal
for 50% waste reduction, recycling, composting and waste diversion.
7. Provide on-site technical assistance, through Local Source Control (LSC)
program, to small businesses whose operations are considered small-quantity
generators of dangerous waste to protect surface and groundwater.
Objectives:
1. Coordinate with other agencies to resolve more difficult solid waste violations.
2. Work with the County’s Prosecuting Attorney to pursue legal remedy for the most
difficult enforcement cases.
3. Continue to work with citizens to investigate and clean-up sites quickly, and
identify and prosecute offenders.
4. Educate consumers at point of purchase about proper disposal of HHW and non-
toxic alternatives.
5. Work with Jefferson County Public Works to promote HHW collection days and
educate participants about non-toxic alternatives.
6. Promote consuming less and re-using more. Recycling is not enough.
7. Identify and actively work with high priority SQG’s to ensure use of best
management practices and prevent toxic and hazardous wastes from entering the
storm- and/or groundwater.
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PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
Total number of solid waste complaints received 184 114 60 65
Total number of solid waste violations resolved 135 117 90 68
Number of illegal dumps complaints received 27 12 14 11
Number of illegal dumps complaints resolved 23 11 19 10
Number of illegal burning complaints received 4 5 7
Number of illegal burning complaints resolved 7
Number of citations/tickets issued 49 28 24 5
Number of court hearings attended 19 2
Tons/cubic yards of solid waste removed/recycled
through compliance efforts (not including junk
vehicles)
50+ tons >450 cu
yards
55+ tons
Total number of solid waste violations awaiting
legal action/abatement
2 2 1 2
Number of warrants of abatement
obtained/completed
1 1 0 0
Number of Jeff. Co. permitted facilities meeting
current regulation standards (out of 8) (1)
6 of 8 8 of 9 8 of 9 8 of 8
Total number of active EnviroStars businesses
(Out of 100 eligible in Jefferson County)
10 10
14 18
Number of new EnviroStar businesses 2 1 3 5
Number of active Green Businesses 21 26
Number of new Green Businesses - 6 6
Number of Junk Cars removed/recycled 701 279 139 141
Number of “Amnesty Day” events 0 1 0 1
Tons/yards of solid waste recycled/disposed of
during “Amnesty Day”.
Over 300
tons of
tires (2)
2500
tires
Plus 601
tons (2)
0 3000 Tires
South
County(2)
Number of LSC site visits - 4 28
Notes:
(1) At the end of 2008 JCPH broke out several facilities that had previously been lumped together. (Jefferson
County Transfer Station, Recycling Center, and closed Municipal Landfill.) This enabled clarification for the
purposes of monitoring and permitting. In 2010, Ecology took over permitting of the Olympic Corrections Bio-
solids composting facility; this reduced the # of sites to 8.
(2) Tire recycling events were paid for through a grant from Ecology.
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Analysis:
The number of solid waste complaints reported and resolved, including illegal dumps, has
fallen since its peak in 2007. The complaints that remain open continue to include a higher
percent of difficult, chronic cases (usually involving mental health issues) that require a
greater amount of time and resources to resolve (e.g.: multiple citations, court hearings, and
warrants of abatement). There were no properties cleaned-up through warrants of abatement
this year. One abatement request is scheduled for court in February 2011.
It is anticipated that during 2011, the overall number of solid waste cases will decrease, with
a relatively high percentage of time-intensive cases. This should stabilize in time as the
backlog of these cases is resolved.
The number of illegal dump complaints seems to be stabilizing at 11-14 per year. The goal is
to have none. There will probably be a certain amount of illegal dumping and burning of
garbage until/unless there are structural changes such as mandatory garbage collection
service (at least for rental units).
The number of junk vehicles (JVs) removed/recycled decreased from its peak in 2007. Scrap
metal prices remain high enough that hauling by local businesses has been free. The downside is
that illegal wrecking yards are proliferating as people seek quick money from scrapping vehicles,
with resulting environmental pollution from improperly handled/disposed vehicle fluids and
components. JCPH is working with State Patrol to close these sites. JCPH continues to assist
citizens with junk vehicle affidavit requests, freeing up Sheriff’s Deputies’ time. Since 2007
JCPH has assisted with the removal of over 1000 junk vehicles from Jefferson County.
In 2010, all of Jefferson County’s permitted facilities became fully compliant with State and
local requirements, the first time in twenty years.
2010 saw continued inter-agency cooperation between JC Sheriff’s Office, Public Health,
Animal Services, Washington State University (WSU) extension office, Climate Action
Committee (CAC), Department of Community Development, and Child Protective Services.
This allowed for resolution of some very difficult cases, shortening of resolution time on
other cases, and cost savings.
In 2010 the solid waste team, through its Local Source Control Program (LSC), focused its
education component on pollution prevention measures for Puget Sound. LSC is an Ecology
funded program, started in 2008, where JCPH proactively visits businesses that utilize or
produce toxics and hazardous materials. Guidance and education are offered regarding the
proper disposal of these materials. The Local Source Control specialist provided technical
assistance to businesses which have high storm-water pollution potential, including marina
and boatyard activities, auto businesses, equipment rental companies, etc. JCPH’s Local
Source Control staff person provided on-site technical assistance visits assisting with Best
Management Practices and code compliance issues. Eligible businesses were referred to
Envirostars and/or Green Business programs to promote sustainable business practices. Sites
found to be in gross violation of the law and/or apparently contaminated are referred for site
hazard assessment and clean-up. JCPH continues to investigate hazardous waste complaints
and perform Site Hazard Assessments (SHA’s) for Ecology. The Solid Waste team expects to
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have a shift towards more hazardous waste casework due to referrals from the Local Source
Control (LSC) during 2011.
Solid waste public education also focused on pollution prevention through education and
outreach on proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste, and toxic alternatives for household
cleaners and yard care products. We also expanded our in-house waste reduction efforts. In
2010, JCPH adopted a Waste Reduction and Recycled Product Procurement Policy, and
became Green Business certified. The department made great strides to reduce, reuse and
recycle. In 2011, we will continue environmentally sustainable business practices and we
will reduce waste by starting a compost bin for food waste from our employees. JCPH staff
will continue to encourage other City and County departments to adopt an environmentally
friendly procurement policy.
SUMMARY OF KEY FUNDING/SERVICE ISSUES:
The reduction in funding and staffing of all County departments means we must carefully and
honestly evaluate priorities and division of labor. Increased inter-departmental cooperation will
enable us to accomplish the most with limited funds. Citizens need to be informed about the
necessary reduction in and speed of services (i.e. JV affidavits are not as high a priority as a
hazardous waste complaint). Our departments can also stretch the funding by utilizing
volunteer/citizen groups where possible.
March, 2011