Permit Process
Where we are in the process right now
Redwood Landfill’s Expansion Application and the Review Process
The Redwood Landfill has applied to Marin County to expand its operation to include additional daily truck visits, additional daily tonnage, and changes in the composition of solid waste that will be accepted. [see The Dirty Dozen Facts] It is important to know that you, as a concerned citizen or friend of the environment, will have several opportunities to participate in this process and let your views be known. The public’s views and comments must be considered and will impact the final outcome.
The permit process has two key components: the Environmental Impact Report or “EIR,” and the permit decision. The EIR is the first stage, and it is expected to continue through the beginning of 2007. The EIR is prepared under the direction of the Environmental Planning Coordinator) for Marin County, Tim Haddad, who works for the Marin County Community Development Agency directed by Alex Hinds.
The EIR is a key input that the Marin County environmental Health Services Division (“EHS”) under the direction of Phillip Smith (the “local enforcement agency”) must consider in deciding whether to approve the Landfill’s permit application. Our elected officials, such as the Marin County Board of Supervisors, officially do not make the permit determination, although certain appeals may go to the Board. Our elected officials, however, are charged with overseeing all county agencies, and you should let them know your thoughts and concerns about the Landfill.
For more information, scroll down below or click on the following links. See especially the highlighted action opportunities. No Wetlands Landfill Expansion will provide its members and others with information about how to participate and let your views be known throughout this process.
Final Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) – Purpose and Timeline
Background
Because the Redwood Landfill wants to expand its operations and receive approval for current practices that do not conform to its current permit, Marin County has required that the Landfill go through the EIR process.
The EIR is prepared under requirements in the California Environmental Quality Act, also known as “CEQA.” The EIR serves to protect the environment and to assure citizens that our government officials are considering the ecological impacts of its actions, such as approving a landfill permit.
Among other things, the EIR must consider and analyze various potential impacts on the environment of proposed business or construction activities. The report is prepared with input from independent environmental consultants. The public has an opportunity to comment on the draft EIR and whether it adequately addresses the potential negative environmental impacts. In the case of the Landfill, those impacts include:
• aesthetics
• air quality
• soils and seismicity
• water quality
• noise
• public health and safety
• transportation and traffic
In Marin County, the Planning Commission has the responsibility to review and certify the EIR as final and complete. An appeal to the County Board of Supervisors is possible. In August and September 2003, the Planning Commission held hearings and accepted comment letters on the first draft of the EIR. As a result of comments setting forth reasons why the initial draft EIR was insufficient (including letters from No Wetlands Landfill Expansion), the Landfill was asked to submit additional data and pay for additional water quality testing.
Expected Timeline and Actions
July - Oct 2005 timeframe
Final EIR was made available to the public for comment. Extended comment
period closed on Oct. 12, 2005. County staff is continuing to work with
the environmental consultant on the FEIR to respond to dozens of hard questions
and good comments, including those put forth by NWLE.
The Marin County Planning Commission will hold a hearing and hear testimony
from the public about the EIR. (NWLE and some of its members testified
at the last hearing on the first draft in Sept. 2003.) This is another opportunity
to participate in the government decision making process and let your views
be known. The Commissioners will recommend to the Department of Environmental Health Services whether they believe that the EIR can be certified as complete before the next stage of the process can begin. They will review whether all significant potential environmental impacts and potential mitigation
measures have been addressed adequately in the report. Note that this hearing
is not about the merits or final decision on the Landfill’s expansion request.
After April 2008
A negative certification decision may be appealed to the County Board of
Supervisors. If so, it is possible another hearing would be held. If the
FEIR is certified as complete, then the process moves to a decision on
WMI’s expansion permit application.
2. Decision on Redwood Landfill’s Expansion Permit Application
Background
The Marin County Environmental Health Services Division or “EHS” is the government agency that oversees the Landfill’s operation and is responsible for making sure the Landfill is complying with its permit. It also will make the local determination whether to grant the Landfill’s permit application to expand its operations. The Landfill – but not members of the public – can appeal conditions placed in the permit, such as required mitigation measures, to the County Board of Supervisors. The local decision whether to permit the expansion will be reviewed at the state level by the California Integrated Waste Management Board. No Wetlands Landfill Expansion is researching the standards under which the permit application will be granted or denied and will post them on this web site.
Expected ActionsFirst
EHS holds hearing to consider the Landfill’s permit application – this should be preceded by public notice. This is another opportunity to participate in the government decision making process and let your views be known.
Second
Landfill should complete its revised permit application filed at Marin County Environmental Health Services Division.
Third
Redwood Landfill could request a hearing before the Board of Supervisors to contest any conditions in the permit. If so, members of the public could let their views be known again.
Fourth
EHS submits the initial decision with the proposed permit and application package to the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). The CIWMB prepares a recommendation, followed by a CIWMB public meeting to finally decide the permit. Members of the public could let their views be known again.