The Port of Lopez and Solid Waste Alternatives Project have determined that a Solid Waste Disposal District for Lopez Island is the best option to provide comprehensive solid waste and recycle services for Lopez residents. This decision comes following a tremendous amount of effort to research the solid waste system for Lopez Island and options for operations.

At the February 13 port meeting, County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord stated that the port of Lopez does not have the required statutory authority to operate a transfer facility and therefore the county cannot enter into agreement with the port to manage and operate the Lopez solid waste system. Gaylord’s statement and the port attorney’s agreement with that opinion, has caused us to seek an alternate solution. Gaylord, members of SWAP, the Port of Lopez and their attorney, Neil Hanson, and some members on the county council all agree, that a Solid Waste Disposal District (SWDD) for Lopez is the best solution.

At their special meeting on March 27, the Port of Lopez made the official decision to withdraw from pursuing operation of the Lopez Solid Waste system. Instead, the port encourages Lopez residents to support the efforts of SWAP to create this disposal district.

The county council has given Lopez until May 15 to meet some conditions before going forward with this idea.

Among the conditions are the following:

1) Petitions circulated and signed. The council asked for supporting evidence that Lopez residents want to be self-sufficient and operate the solid waste system through a SWDD. They ask that we collect somewhere between 15 -50 percent (210 – 700 signatures) of the number of registered Lopez voters in the last general election (about 1,400). The petition will ask that those who sign are willing to vote in favor of a Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District and collect a tax levy of $100,000. This is based on about 8 cents per $1,000 of valuation. A $500,000 property would pay about $40 annually.

2) The council will appoint between three-five Lopez residents to serve on the SWDD Board. If you are interested in having your name submitted to the county council for consideration please send a letter to that effect. List your name, contact information, short bio, your involvement to date and particular skill set. Address it to SWAP and send it to P.O. Box 113 Lopez or email turtle@rockisland.com.

SWAP will be coordinating this effort and gathering all information and sending a packet including signed petitions, to the council on or before May 15^.

The SWDD was an option that the Take-Back-The-Dump group first looked at. SWAP and the Port of Lopez said they are entering the home stretch on this issue and are pleased to find a solution that garners the support of a wide and diverse base of citizens.

– Submitted by SWAP and the Port of Lopez