The future of solid waste disposal in King County took a significant step forward today with the unanimous approval by the Metropolitan King County Council’s Regional Policy Committee of the guidelines that will be used in developing the County’s solid waste export plan.

“This is the blueprint King County will follow when it is time to close the Cedar Hills Landfill in 2012,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, chair of the Regional Policy Committee. “It is a blueprint that ensures that any decision on how we will handle solid waste is a regional decision, involving all of the stakeholders who will be affected. It signals a new beginning of regional cooperation regarding solid waste, which in recent times has been a source of friction between suburban cities and King County.”

King County operates one of the largest publicly-owned solid waste management systems in the state, serving residents and businesses in unincorporated King County and 37 of the County’s 39 cities. Cedar Hills—the county’s only landfill—is expected to reach capacity in 2012, and the county has chosen to export its solid waste to Eastern Washington or Eastern Oregon once Cedar Hills closes. The Regional Policy Committee has been working with suburban city officials and the County Executive in developing a dependable and cost-effective waste export system. Today’s proposal creates the guidelines that will be used in drafting the final solid waste export plan.

“On behalf of the suburban cities, I want to commend all involved for their work on this ordinance,” said Newcastle City Councilmember Sonny Putter, a member of the Regional Policy Committee. “The proposal is a strong example of what can be done on a regional level when everyone is invited to the table.”

“This legislation is the result of a partnership on a regional level that we haven’t had in a long time,” said Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives, another committee member. “This is an issue that will have a direct impact on suburban cities and the proposal ensures that we will not be shut out of the final decision on how we will export solid waste.”

The plan includes a timeline for developing a solid waste export plan, and ensures participation from all stakeholders through the creation of a permanent forum for comprehensive city review of solid waste management plans and policies. Any proposals that come out of this forum would be submitted to County Council for discussion and evaluation.

“This legislation is result of a collaborative effort between the Council, the executive and 13 suburban cities,” said Ferguson. “When issues cut across jurisdictional boundaries and will have an impact for generations to come, it is vital that everyone has a voice.”

The next step for the solid waste plan will be consideration by the Natural Resources and Utilities Committee, which has been working with the Regional Policy staff throughout the development of the proposal. The proposal will then be sent to the full council for final consideration.

The Regional Policy Committee provides a forum for development and review of policies on human services, open space, housing, solid waste, criminal justice, regional facilities siting, and major governance issues. Its current members include mayors or city councilmembers from Kirkland, Auburn, Renton, Kent, Newcastle, and Seattle.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s
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