The deadline for comment on the county’s draft of the Solid Waste Management Plan is March 16. The draft plan is available at most libraries, at the Public Works, county council and other county offices, and online at sanjuanco.com/SWAC/docs/SWMPlan/SH_REVIEWDRAFT_020312.pdf.

Planner Elizabeth Anderson suggests reading the summary of changes to the collection system written up in chapter one, then zero in on chapters to subjects of most interest. Major topics include: waste reduction (chapter four), collection (chapter five), administration, including potential costs (chapter nine), hazardous wastes (chapter 10) and details of upcoming collection and transfer system changes (chapters five and six).

Comments turned in by deadline will be given to the county council prior to its review and public hearing on the plan. The hearing’s exact date is not set. Following the council’s review, the revised plan – including edits and updates from the public and the council, will be submitted to the State Department of Ecology for technical review.

The plan will receive one more review by the council and DOE before final acceptance and implementation.