File that Odor Report Now!

"Every complaint counts so I would encourage people to report every time. People can call the complaint line if the form is too cumbersome. It is OK to make a call for each occurrence."

So writes Marcia Danab of DEQ's nuisance complaint department ("Communications and Outreach").  Marcia wants people to use the DEQ hotline or online complaint form to notify the Department about untenable odors, litter, air and water pollution, and other assaults on the environment and our senses.

She says, "The best way to record a complaint with the Department of Environmental Quality is to use the online complaint form at http://www.deq.state.or.us/complaints/ You also can call the DEQ Complaints Hotline at 1-888-997-7888.  Please do not call individuals at DEQ.  Using the DEQ complaints system is the most effective way for DEQ to address a complaint.  Someone from DEQ will get back to the person who files a complaint."

In 2011-2012 DEQ received over 200 separate complaints about Riverbend, mostly about smell.  Beginning in 2014, DEQ will implement its new Odor Nuisance Strategy to handle problem odor sources.  Our job as "air consumers" is to make sure DEQ knows how pervasive and nasty the odors that emanate from Riverbend truly are.

The past several weeks the deep fog kept odors near the ground and in the low hills surrounding the dump making Christmas nearly unbearable for many residents within 2 to 3 miles of the landfill.  In addition to fog, the use of tarps instead of soil for daily cover releases a stifling garbage stink when the tarps blow off in the wind.

If the dump is allowed to expand, the odor and other problems -- birds and vermin that damage nearby crops, truck noise and road wear and tear, leachate contamination, litter -- will only get worse.

From now through January 2 at 5:00 pm, when you report an odor issue to DEQ, send a copy to the Yamhill County Planning Department.  Ask that your report be included in the record for Riverbend's rezoning request.  Send to:  Ken Friday at fridayk@co.yamhill.or.us.

And maybe our New Year will actually be Happy!