Tuesday, July 19, 2005
No More Trash, Please.
Back in 2004, Waste Management Inc., the company who operates the Redwood Landfill near Petaluma, decided that they want to expand the landfill. From what I understand, the landfill expansion will increase the size of this *stinky* part of town by nearly 50%. Not, I repeat, not a good idea.
Do we, as North Bay residents, really want to be the repository for so much of California, for longer than we had originally thought? The Redwood Landfill was slated to be filled in the next decade or so (does that seem like a long time to anybody else?), but with this proposed expansion, we are looking at another 12 years until this putrid pit is full! That seems like one heck of a large expansion to me.
Furthermore, there are about 3 or 4 endangered species in this area, as the landfill is right next to San Antonio Creek and the Petaluma Marsh. If we simply pile up 50% more trash in this area for an additional 12 years, we are going to wreak havoc on this delicate ecosystem.
I would like to see, as a condition of allowing this expansion to occur (if, that is, it actually does pass), the Board of Supervisors include a rider on the bill requiring that any city that uses the landfill must recycle at least 50% of its waste. This is not a difficult feat, as Marin County is able to boast its 71% waste diversion level – the 3rd best in the state! If our land is going to be used for trash, we should be able to hold those who use this land responsible in some manner. Otherwise, no more trash, please.
Back in 2004, Waste Management Inc., the company who operates the Redwood Landfill near Petaluma, decided that they want to expand the landfill. From what I understand, the landfill expansion will increase the size of this *stinky* part of town by nearly 50%. Not, I repeat, not a good idea.
Do we, as North Bay residents, really want to be the repository for so much of California, for longer than we had originally thought? The Redwood Landfill was slated to be filled in the next decade or so (does that seem like a long time to anybody else?), but with this proposed expansion, we are looking at another 12 years until this putrid pit is full! That seems like one heck of a large expansion to me.
Furthermore, there are about 3 or 4 endangered species in this area, as the landfill is right next to San Antonio Creek and the Petaluma Marsh. If we simply pile up 50% more trash in this area for an additional 12 years, we are going to wreak havoc on this delicate ecosystem.
I would like to see, as a condition of allowing this expansion to occur (if, that is, it actually does pass), the Board of Supervisors include a rider on the bill requiring that any city that uses the landfill must recycle at least 50% of its waste. This is not a difficult feat, as Marin County is able to boast its 71% waste diversion level – the 3rd best in the state! If our land is going to be used for trash, we should be able to hold those who use this land responsible in some manner. Otherwise, no more trash, please.
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This landfill that you're talking about, Northbayvoter, is actually quite a popular dump site. You didn't really drive that point home quite enough in your posting. The Redwood Landfill is used by nearly all of Marin County, Petaluma, Richmond, lots of Sonoma County, Berkeley, and even San Francisco. It's going to be immensely difficult to hold all of these cities accountable if the Board really does slap on such a rider as you mention. Frankly, why don't they just start charging higher fees to use the dump site -- maybe we could get some money for our home?? We'll be a little stinkier with all the trash, but maybe a little richer too.
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