WHEREAS,
the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) issued
Permit SW-06/01 to the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) on January 6, 2006
allowing the expansion of Cherry Island Landfill to 195 feet, an increase of 23
feet; and
WHEREAS,
continued disposal of yard waste would require an increase of at least six
feet – approximately 25 percent higher
than the permitted height increase; and
WHEREAS,
Permit SW-06/01 included a condition banning the disposal of yard waste at
Cherry Island Landfill effective January 1, 2007; and
WHEREAS,
23 other states and numerous local governments have implemented a ban on yard
waste being disposed of in landfills; and
WHEREAS,
approximately 19 percent of the municipal solid waste being disposed of at
Cherry Island Landfill has been yard waste; and
WHEREAS,
Delaware is a net importer of compost and yard
waste is a reusable resource that can be converted to compost and utilized in Delaware; and
WHEREAS,
the expansion of Cherry Island Landfill will cost an estimated $100 million, or
approximately $4.6 million per foot; and
WHEREAS,
the capacity at Cherry Island Landfill is a valuable economic asset that should
be used for waste that can not otherwise be reused or recycled; and
WHEREAS,
The Solid Waste Management Technical Working Group recommended a ban be imposed
to prohibit the disposal of yard waste at all of the state’s landfills and
concluded that it would be extremely difficult if not impossible to construct a
new landfill in Northern New Castle County; and
WHEREAS,
it is estimated that the life of Cherry Island Landfill could be extended by
several years by eliminating the disposal of yard waste into the landfill at
current overall recycling rates.
WHEREAS,
residents of New Castle
County are concerned that
there is not a comprehensive solution for unlimited yard waste recycling; and
WHEREAS,
residents of New Castle County and the trash haulers have been uncertain
regarding the issues of pricing and transportation;
NOW
THEREFORE:
BE
IT RESOLVED by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 144th
General Assembly of the State of Delaware,
with the approval of the Governor, that the Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control and the Delaware Solid Waste Authority are directed to
the delay the enforcement of the yard waste ban until January 15, 2008.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DNREC and DSWA shall continue to meet with trash
haulers and yard waste businesses and the Recycling Public Advisory Council for
the purpose of developing a program that will simplify and economize yard waste
recycling for the residents of New
Castle County.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DNREC and DSWA shall work with all necessary partners
to open and operate, as long as feasible, at least three demonstration
community yard waste sites which shall be available to the public for disposal
and recovery of residential yard waste.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DNREC shall
identify and coordinate activities with private, commercial yard waste
processing operations to assure that all such operations are appropriately
permitted, if needed, and able to accept yard waste from residents and
commercial haulers by December 31, 2007.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DNREC and DSWA shall work closely with commercial
trash haulers and others yard waste hauling businesses operating in Northern New Castle County
to assure that, to the maximum extent practicable, all residents have cost
effective options available for yard waste collection.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DSWA shall continue to accept, at rates established by
DSWA, yard waste from the public and licensed waste haulers.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DNREC and DSWA will implement and assist, as
appropriate and feasible, in marketing and educational efforts to advertise
public and private options for collection, recycling and disposal of yard
waste.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in order to assess progress toward efficient and
effective implementation of the yard waste ban on January 15, 2008, DNREC and
DSWA shall jointly submit written reports to the General Assembly no later than
June 30, September 15 and December 15 2007. The reports shall summarize
progress on activities identified in this resolution. The General Assembly, at
its discretion, may hold hearings to assess such progress and determine any
other actions that may need to be undertaken.
