This chapter shall be known and cited as the Solid Waste Rules and Regulations of the Cowlitz County Board of Health.
(Ord. 04-061 § I(A), 3-30-2004)
These solid waste rules and regulations are promulgated under the authority of Chapters 70.05, 70.93 and 70.95 RCW and Chapters 173-304, 173-350 and 173-351 WAC. Cowlitz County adopts by reference Chapter 173-304 WAC, Minimum Functional Standards for Solid Waste Handling; Chapter 173-310 WAC, Litter Receptacles; Chapter 173-350 WAC, Solid Waste Handling Standards; and Chapter 173-351 WAC, Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, as are now or hereafter amended; with the exceptions or additions as stated in this chapter.
It is the purpose and objective of this chapter to prevent land, air, and water pollution, and conserve Cowlitz County's natural, economic, and energy resources by:
A.
Promoting regulatory consistency by establishing county-wide minimum standards for solid waste handling;
B.
Following the priorities for solid waste management as set by the Legislature in Chapter 70.95 RCW, Solid waste management – Reduction and recycling;
D.
Encouraging the development and operation of waste recycling facilities and activities needed to accomplish the management priority of waste recycling;
E.
Identifying those functions necessary to assure effective solid waste handling programs;
F.
Requiring solid waste handling facilities to be located, designed, constructed, operated and closed in accordance with this regulation;
G.
Describing the responsibility for persons, agencies, and departments related to solid waste;
H.
Preventing the accumulation of solid waste that may adversely affect land values, present a nuisance, or pose a public health and safety hazard; or environmental hazards affecting surface water, groundwater, air, or soils.
(Ord. 04-061 § I(B), 3-30-2004)
Under the authority of the Health Officer, the Cowlitz County Department of Building and Planning (hereafter referred to as Department) shall administer this chapter. The Department may refer violations of this chapter to the Prosecuting Attorney for appropriate action.
A.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Department is hereby authorized to declare any abandoned vehicle or automobile hulk/part thereof to be a public nuisance if located on property in the unincorporated areas of Cowlitz County, not including state and federal highways. Such vehicle or parts thereof shall be removed and impounded at the direction of the Sheriff, pursuant to statute.
B.
The Cowlitz County Public Works Department shall be responsible for:
1.
The development, implementation, and revision of the Cowlitz County Solid Waste Management Plan and each element therein. Each element of the Solid Waste Management Plan shall comply with Chapters 70.93 and 70.95 RCW and shall be submitted to the Board of Health for approval. The plan shall be reviewed and revised, if necessary, at least every five years;
2.
The selection of sites for county solid waste disposal;
3.
Securing all appropriate permits for county waste disposal operations;
4.
For construction, operation, and maintenance of county disposal sites, transfer stations, and processing sites;
5.
For collecting solid waste disposal fees; and
6.
County litter program and abandoned vehicle abatement program for the abatement and disposal of abandoned vehicles, automobile hulks, and solid waste on property owned by the county.
(Ord. 04-061 § I(C), 3-30-2004)
A.
The provision of this chapter and codes and regulations adopted herein shall govern solid waste handling, storage, collection, transportation, treatment, utilization, processing, and final disposal of all solid waste within Cowlitz County, including the issuance of permits and enforcement.
B.
All references in this chapter to any section of Chapter 173-350 WAC shall mean that section, as now enacted or hereafter amended. Cowlitz County solid waste regulations shall not apply within the limits of any city where the city has by local ordinance determined that the county shall not exercise such powers within the corporate limits of the city; providing, that the city ordinance is consistent with the priorities established in RCW 70.95.010, so as to protect public health, prevent air and water pollution, and avoid the creation of nuisances.
C.
This chapter does not apply to exempt solid waste as defined in WAC 173-350-020, unless stated otherwise in this chapter.
D.
This chapter applies to applicable sections of Chapter 173-304 WAC, Minimum Functional Standards for Solid Waste Handling, that have not been superseded by Chapter 173-350 WAC. This includes, but is not limited to, solid waste handling facilities engaged in closure or closed before the effective date of Chapter 173-350 WAC.
Solid waste handling facilities that have engaged in closure and closed before the effective date of this chapter are exempt, except for those facilities with post closure requirements, such as landfills. Closure and post-closure requirements for applicable facilities are in effect, including, but not limited to, financial assurance, inspections, monitoring, reporting, and permitting.
(Ord. 04-061 § I(D), 3-30-2004)