04/23/2009: "DOE Responds To PW Inspection Request"

(WA Health & Safety Consultant John Moller (right) with Solid Waste Utility Manager Steve Alexander (To Moller’s immediate left) and members of county staff his visit to SJI transfer station)

The State Department of Ecology (DOE) responded Wednesday to SJC Public Works Director Joh Shannon’s recent request for an inspection of the Sutton Road Transfer Station by ordering him to correct the well known and documented stormwater improvements at the site.

The DOE order was signed by Richard (Dick) Grout, currently the Manager of the DOE Bellingham Field Office (DOEB); and a past Planning Department Director of San Juan County. The order contains two “violations” that need to be addressed.

DOEB Communications Manager Katie Skipper stated “In summary, the order directs the county to address industrial stormwater issues at the facility by applying for coverage under the industrial stormwater general permit, and to comply with that permit's requirements. This will lead to measures to prevent the release of contaminated stormwater from areas exposed to rainfall, where solid waste is handled, processed or stored.”

The Shannon request that forced DOE to make the inspection and then issue the order has struck some in County government as odd since the Shannon and everyone involved with the transfer station is aware of the problems, and what needs to be done, to bring the site into compliance. A fact well expressed by Skipper’s additional statement that “San Juan County officials are aware of the stormwater problems and are cooperating to come into compliance with stormwater requirements.”

That word “cooperating” is key. The State has been fully aware of the problems at the Sutton Road Site, and have continued to let PW put off making the necessary improvements while they attempt to convince the County Council to build a new site on Beaverton Valley,

The current variance from DOE comes to an end on May 14th, but since the County Council has scheduled two meetings (Monday & Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.) to work toward a final decision to stay at Sutton, or move the site, it is an almost certainty that DOE will issue another variance.

The County Council meeting on Tuesday at 1:30 is not only a continuation of a public hearing on where a new transfer station should be located, but is also billed as time for "Deliberations & Decision." And winner is..?