Waste Management might have had a presentation to make at tonight's Air Quality meeting. If so, they didn't get the chance.
The semi-annual Air Quality meetings are mandated by the state as part of Riverbend Landfill's "Title V" permit. That's the license Waste Management receives from the state to pollute our air.
Because the McMinnville area has clean air, the landfill is allowed to dump a lot of chemicals into it. And some of those chemicals smell. Horribly.
After opening the meeting, Riverbend personnel attempted to give a rundown on the many new gas wells that have been or will be sunk in Trash Mountain this year. These wells siphon off gas to burn in Riverbend's on-site landfill-gas-to-energy facility (to produce electricity). Excess gas is flared off. Deep wells mostly capture gas from old garbage deposits; when new deep wells are sunk, old garbage is exposed, bringing up fresh odor. Shallow, or pin, wells are sunk mostly into fresh garbage and are not supposed to be associated with increased smell.
This winter, however, Riverbend has been smellier than usual, and Waste Management received an earful about the "nosefulls" that neighbors and travelers receive from the dump daily.
Neighbors and travelers who drive past the dump told DEQ, the state agency responsible for monitoring air quality at Riverbend, that its complaint system improperly places the burden of monitoring on citizens. That is, the system is complaint driven, requiring at least 10 complaints from 10 different addresses within a 60-day period, without promising any hope for odor improvement.
DEQ representatives at the meeting told residents that they are not aware of any additional technology that Waste Management could use to reduce odors. The message is that, even if the agency received the requisite 10 complaints in 60 days, there is nothing DEQ could or would do to reduce odors at Riverbend.
Complaining directly to Riverbend doesn't help, either, given the company's tendency to deflect blame onto the wind direction, a new well, or wind blowing at the time garbage is being dumped. In other words, odor is caused by business as usual.
When one neighbor asked Waste Management to acknowledge that the dump smells and they can't do anything about it, the company responded with silence.
Neighbors were also astounded when the company professed surprise that "independent" labs paid by them might have an interest in producing results favorable to the company.
Nothing, of course, was resolved. Nevertheless, filing odor reports can't hurt!
File a formal complaint with DEQ at http://www.deq.state.or.us/complaints/mcomplaint.htm or call 1-888-997-7888.
Report odor to Yamhill County at Mathiss@co.yamhill.or.us (Sherrie Mathison)
Report odor as well as trucks that (a) spew waste en route to or from dump or (b) kick up dust or splash road muck on to passing vehicles directly to Riverbend at 503-472-8788. If the person answering the phone doesn't understand your complaint, ask for Jeff O'Leary or call his cell, 503-857-5870 or email joleary@wm.com.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
What Are Our Commissioners Afraid Of?
For years, Yamhill County resident and professional engineer and surveyor Leonard Rydell has been trying to engage the County Board of Commissioners (BOC) in a discussion of engineering and health and safety issues at Riverbend Landfill.
For years, the BOC has put his requests off, citing various hearings or litigation over landfill expansion.
But Leonard is not a party to any lawsuit. He is not talking about the merits of expansion (although expanding the dump could stress already under-designed elements of the existing garbage dump). Leonard's concerns exist whether Riverbend Landfill expands or not.
In the latest go-round, Leonard asked Commissioner Mary Starrett for a half hour meeting so he could show her a slide presentation he's put together addressing his concerns about earthquake vulnerability, floodplain issues, and potential river course change of the South Yamhill River adjacent to the landfill.
Some of these concerns relate to the way the dump has been constructed; others, solely to its location. None relate to whether or not the currently proposed expansion meets any criteria at issue in the lawsuit filed by the Stop the Dump Coalition and others.
Commissioner Starrett has declined to meet with Leonard, however, on the advice of County Counsel. So what is County Counsel afraid of?
This refusal appears to be part of a trend that should alarm all Yamhill County residents, whether they are for expansion, against it, or don't give a hoot. Our elected officials are supposed to conduct their business in public. One reason for this rule is to let us, the general public, know the reasons for the decisions they make. If we like their reasoning, we re-elect them. If we don't, out they go.
This Commission finds solace in silence, however. In approving the most recent expansion request, Commissioners declined to state any reasons. Commissioner Allan Springer even changed his vote, from no to yes, without any explanation at all! And, while the findings they adopted allude to "evidence in the record" to support their yes votes, no specifics were cited as persuasive.
So why did the BOC approve expansion? Who knows?
Why refuse to meet with a County resident and voter? Who knows?
Why should we care? Because it's our county.
Reach Commissioner Mary Starrett at: starrettm@co.yamhill.or.us
Reach County Counsel Christian Boenisch at: boenischc@co.yamhill.or.us
For years, the BOC has put his requests off, citing various hearings or litigation over landfill expansion.
But Leonard is not a party to any lawsuit. He is not talking about the merits of expansion (although expanding the dump could stress already under-designed elements of the existing garbage dump). Leonard's concerns exist whether Riverbend Landfill expands or not.
In the latest go-round, Leonard asked Commissioner Mary Starrett for a half hour meeting so he could show her a slide presentation he's put together addressing his concerns about earthquake vulnerability, floodplain issues, and potential river course change of the South Yamhill River adjacent to the landfill.
Some of these concerns relate to the way the dump has been constructed; others, solely to its location. None relate to whether or not the currently proposed expansion meets any criteria at issue in the lawsuit filed by the Stop the Dump Coalition and others.
Commissioner Starrett has declined to meet with Leonard, however, on the advice of County Counsel. So what is County Counsel afraid of?
This refusal appears to be part of a trend that should alarm all Yamhill County residents, whether they are for expansion, against it, or don't give a hoot. Our elected officials are supposed to conduct their business in public. One reason for this rule is to let us, the general public, know the reasons for the decisions they make. If we like their reasoning, we re-elect them. If we don't, out they go.
This Commission finds solace in silence, however. In approving the most recent expansion request, Commissioners declined to state any reasons. Commissioner Allan Springer even changed his vote, from no to yes, without any explanation at all! And, while the findings they adopted allude to "evidence in the record" to support their yes votes, no specifics were cited as persuasive.
So why did the BOC approve expansion? Who knows?
Why refuse to meet with a County resident and voter? Who knows?
Why should we care? Because it's our county.
Reach Commissioner Mary Starrett at: starrettm@co.yamhill.or.us
Reach County Counsel Christian Boenisch at: boenischc@co.yamhill.or.us
Reminder! Air Quality Meeting Wednesday the 27th!
All winter long people have complained about the terrible smells coming from the dump. Unfortunately, the Stop the Dump Coalition cannot make the smell go away (except of course by shutting down Riverbend!). Stop the Dump board members are not the people DEQ (the state Department of Environmental Quality) wants to hear from. DEQ needs to hear from YOU!
DEQ is under a lot of pressure because of the air quality problems in Portland. We have a version of that down here with Riverbend, but DEQ has never taken our complaints seriously. Perhaps now they will pay attention to our air quality problem -- but only if they hear from YOU.
WHAT: DEQ TITLE V (ie, federal law) Air Quality Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, April 27, 6 PM for Pizza; 7 PM for Meeting
WHERE: Chemeketa Community College--Bldg 1, 288 NE Norton Lane, McMinnville
WHY: DEQ needs to hear from YOU
See you Wednesday April 27th !
DEQ is under a lot of pressure because of the air quality problems in Portland. We have a version of that down here with Riverbend, but DEQ has never taken our complaints seriously. Perhaps now they will pay attention to our air quality problem -- but only if they hear from YOU.
WHAT: DEQ TITLE V (ie, federal law) Air Quality Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, April 27, 6 PM for Pizza; 7 PM for Meeting
WHERE: Chemeketa Community College--Bldg 1, 288 NE Norton Lane, McMinnville
WHY: DEQ needs to hear from YOU
See you Wednesday April 27th !
Saturday, April 23, 2016
State Board To Determine Whether DEQ Violates Engineering Standards
The state Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying (OSBEELS) may soon decide whether DEQ permit writers who are engineers must follow engineering standards and ethics when approving projects such as the expansion of Riverbend Landfill.
As some of you may recall, local engineer and surveyor Leonard Rydell filed a complaint with OSBEELS charging the permit writer who approved construction of the MSE berm at Riverbend with "engineering malpractice" in violation of engineering and ethical standards. The Board will consider Mr. Rydell's complaint at its May 5 meeting in Salem. The public is invited.
The permit writer, who inspects the landfill monthly for permit compliance, appears to have admitted to Mr. Rydell that he is not familiar with the design standards approved by DEQ for the landfill's construction. Mr. Rydell is concerned that the landfill is being constructed higher, with steeper slopes, than originally designed.
For example, Cells 4 and 5 of the landfill were originally approved at a side slope ratio of 4 horizontal to 1 vertical with a height of 240 feet above mean sea level. However, the landfill is currently being constructed to a steeper side slope ratio of 3.5 horizontal to one vertical with a height of 286 feet. The side slope ratios are important to the stability of the dump; a steeper slope will slough off more readily in an earthquake, for example.
OSBEELS meeting:
Thursday, May 5, 2016, at 1:00 PM
707 13th Street SE, Suite 114, Salem, OR 97301.
For information, contact 503-566-2837 or osbge.info@state.or.us.
For a copy of the agenda, click here.
Note: "MSE berm" stands for "mechanically stabilized earthen berm" and means basically that the "berm" -- or outer wall of the dump -- is made up of blocks of dirt enclosed in cages; DEQ is the state Department of Environmental Quality.
As some of you may recall, local engineer and surveyor Leonard Rydell filed a complaint with OSBEELS charging the permit writer who approved construction of the MSE berm at Riverbend with "engineering malpractice" in violation of engineering and ethical standards. The Board will consider Mr. Rydell's complaint at its May 5 meeting in Salem. The public is invited.
The permit writer, who inspects the landfill monthly for permit compliance, appears to have admitted to Mr. Rydell that he is not familiar with the design standards approved by DEQ for the landfill's construction. Mr. Rydell is concerned that the landfill is being constructed higher, with steeper slopes, than originally designed.
For example, Cells 4 and 5 of the landfill were originally approved at a side slope ratio of 4 horizontal to 1 vertical with a height of 240 feet above mean sea level. However, the landfill is currently being constructed to a steeper side slope ratio of 3.5 horizontal to one vertical with a height of 286 feet. The side slope ratios are important to the stability of the dump; a steeper slope will slough off more readily in an earthquake, for example.
OSBEELS meeting:
Thursday, May 5, 2016, at 1:00 PM
707 13th Street SE, Suite 114, Salem, OR 97301.
For information, contact 503-566-2837 or osbge.info@state.or.us.
For a copy of the agenda, click here.
Note: "MSE berm" stands for "mechanically stabilized earthen berm" and means basically that the "berm" -- or outer wall of the dump -- is made up of blocks of dirt enclosed in cages; DEQ is the state Department of Environmental Quality.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Take the DEQ Improvement Survey!
The state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is looking for a new director and actually asking citizens for help.
DEQ has developed a short survey that you can take online. In addition to ranking pre-identified qualities that the new director should possess, the survey asks for your comments. We recommend that you point out that "managing disposal of solid waste" should NOT be a task separate from "enhancing and protecting Oregon's air and water quality." These are part of the same task -- preserving our environment to protect the health and well-being of ourselves and our descendants.
Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DEQsurvey2
DEQ has developed a short survey that you can take online. In addition to ranking pre-identified qualities that the new director should possess, the survey asks for your comments. We recommend that you point out that "managing disposal of solid waste" should NOT be a task separate from "enhancing and protecting Oregon's air and water quality." These are part of the same task -- preserving our environment to protect the health and well-being of ourselves and our descendants.
Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DEQsurvey2
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Air Quality Meeting Coming Up!
The next Waste Management/DEQ air quality meeting regarding Riverbend Landfill is set for the evening of Wednesday, April 27.
Every five years, DEQ -- the state Department of Environmental Quality -- issues the landfill a "Title V" permit to pollute the air. (Because the McMinnville area's air is basically clean, the landfill can pollute a lot.)
DEQ promises to monitor the area's air quality and to modify the permit if the air is degraded too much. If you've been following the news out of Portland, you know how well DEQ has been handling that job.
Locally, at least, the reps from DEQ who handle Riverbend's Title V permits have worked with landfill neighbors to try to tighten up restrictions. But DEQ doesn't see its job as protecting the environment from landfills; DEQ sees its job as threefold, protecting the environment, cleaning up messes, and solid waste disposal.
We are not making this up. The draft job description for the new Director (yes, Dick Pedersen resigned following the Portland air quality scandal) describes DEQ's mission this way: "DEQ is responsible for protecting and enhancing Oregon's water and air quality, for cleaning up spills and releases of hazardous materials, and for managing the proper disposal of hazardous and solid wastes" -- as if disposal of waste has nothing to do with "protecting and enhancing water and air."
One more reason why the County's lame attempt to foist enforcement of any kind of environmental rule off onto DEQ's back is so, well, lame.
Meeting: Title V Air Permit Meeting (held by Waste Management, mandated by permit)
Wednesday, April 27, 7:00, at Chemeketa Community College, 288 NE Norton Lane, McMinnville (ie, right off Highway 18 across from the hospital). Come early for pizza and schmoozing.
Every five years, DEQ -- the state Department of Environmental Quality -- issues the landfill a "Title V" permit to pollute the air. (Because the McMinnville area's air is basically clean, the landfill can pollute a lot.)
DEQ promises to monitor the area's air quality and to modify the permit if the air is degraded too much. If you've been following the news out of Portland, you know how well DEQ has been handling that job.
Locally, at least, the reps from DEQ who handle Riverbend's Title V permits have worked with landfill neighbors to try to tighten up restrictions. But DEQ doesn't see its job as protecting the environment from landfills; DEQ sees its job as threefold, protecting the environment, cleaning up messes, and solid waste disposal.
We are not making this up. The draft job description for the new Director (yes, Dick Pedersen resigned following the Portland air quality scandal) describes DEQ's mission this way: "DEQ is responsible for protecting and enhancing Oregon's water and air quality, for cleaning up spills and releases of hazardous materials, and for managing the proper disposal of hazardous and solid wastes" -- as if disposal of waste has nothing to do with "protecting and enhancing water and air."
One more reason why the County's lame attempt to foist enforcement of any kind of environmental rule off onto DEQ's back is so, well, lame.
Meeting: Title V Air Permit Meeting (held by Waste Management, mandated by permit)
Wednesday, April 27, 7:00, at Chemeketa Community College, 288 NE Norton Lane, McMinnville (ie, right off Highway 18 across from the hospital). Come early for pizza and schmoozing.
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