The “Supplemental Alternatives Analysis” for the San Juan Island Solid Waste Transfer Station replacement project will be completed and made public on Sept. 12, shortly before the Solid Waste Advisory Committee begins deliberations on selecting a new transfer station site.
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee, or SWAC, has scheduled additional meetings in September and October to allow more time for public review and SWAC deliberations.
According to Transfer Station Project Manager Steve Alexander, the analysis will provide comparative “ballpark” cost estimates for developing solid waste, recycling and related facilities on each of the five sites being considered. The sites include the current site on Sutton Road, which is owned by the Town of Friday Harbor.
The financially-oriented analysis and the recently released Draft Environmental Impact Statement provide background information for the Solid Waste Advisory Board’s deliberations.
Alexander said the release of the Supplemental Alternatives Analysis was pushed back by four weeks to allow consultants time to gather additional information and evaluate feedback from staff reviewers.
“We felt that the draft that was presented to us left some important questions unanswered,” he said in a press release. “On a project this important, we need to get it right.”
The current transfer station is running beyond its designed capacity, according to Public Works, and recently the county Department of Health — in consultation with the state Department of Ecology — notified the county’s administration and the Public Works Department that the facility will not be allowed to continue to operate out of compliance with health and safety regulations after March 15, unless the county has selected a site for a replacement facility and continues to make progress on the replacement project.
Meanwhile, the public comment period remains open on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement until Sept. 12.
The county will bring the statement’s authors and subject-matter experts to the District 3 Fire Station at 1011 Mullis St., Friday Harbor, Aug. 28 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to answer questions from the public and receive written comments. A public hearing will be held at the fire station on Sept. 4, 5-7 p.m., to take oral comments.
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee is scheduled to make its site recommendation to the County Council by the end of this year; a final decision by the council is expected in January.
Information on how to obtain a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available by clicking here. Review copies are available at the administrative offices of the county Public Works Department, 915 Spring St.; the Community Development and Planning office at 135 Rhone St.; and at the San Juan Island Public Library.
The Supplemental Alternative Analysis will be available at the same locations and on the county Web site beginning Sept. 12.
Schedule of Upcoming Events Concerning the Transfer Station
— Aug. 28, 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Informational Meeting No. 2, District 3 Fire Station meeting room, 1011 Mullis St., Friday Harbor. Experts will be available to answer questions about the Environmental Impact Statement and accept written comments.
— Sept. 4, 5-7 p.m.: District 3 Fire Station Meeting Room, 1011 Mullis St., Friday Harbor. Public hearing. Though written comments will be accepted throughout the 45-day period, this will be the only opportunity for the public to offer oral comments, suggestions and concerns to be incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
— Sept. 12, 4:30 p.m.: Close of public comment period for the Transfer Station Environmental Impact Statement.
— Sept. 12: Supplementary Alternative Analysis document released. Report will be available on county Web site, at Community Development and Planning (address below) and for review at the San Juan County Library and the San Juan County Public Works Department.
— Sept. 15, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.: Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting, District 3 Fire Station, 1011 Mullis St., Friday Harbor. The committee will take public comment and conduct deliberations on its site selection recommendation for the new transfer station/recycling facility.
— Sept. 29, Oct. 20, Oct. 27: Additional Solid Waste Advisory meetings scheduled for site selection. Meeting times, locations and details will be announced.
(Check the online calendar on the county Web site, www.sanjuanco.com, for updates.)
* During this period, written comments may be submitted at any of the public meetings or via mail, email or dropped off in person at the addresses below. Oral comments will be accepted only at the Sept. 4 public hearing.
— To submit a written comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement by Sept. 12, e-mail solidwasteplanning@sanjuanco.com.
— Mail to Transfer Station Comments, Community Development & Planning Department, P.O. Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
— Deliver to Community Development & Planning Department, 135 Rhone St., Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
