Press Release For Immediate Release
September 12, 2016
Contact: Patrick Mathews
PatrickM@svswa.org
831-775-3000
Adopted Goal Addresses Practical Future for Salinas Valley Recycling and Solid Waste Management
(Gonzales, CA) It happens every three years: The Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (a.k.a. Salinas Valley Recycles) Board of Directors meets with key members of Salinas Valley Recycles’ management team to establish a set of 3-Year Strategic Goals designed to help Salinas Valley Recycles achieve its mission and vision in a constantly evolving industry and environment. The new set of 3-Year Strategic Goals was approved and adopted at the August 18, 2016 monthly Board meeting, consisting of four primary goals to be achieved between 2016-2019.
Potentially the most formidable goal for this 3-year period is to “Select and implement facilities (e.g., Salinas Area Materials Recovery Center) and programs that lead to achievement of at least 75% waste diversion.”
What makes this goal so challenging is that the achievement of this goal – the selection and implementation of facilities, in particular – relies heavily on cooperative civic leaders and support from community members. In fact, it cannot be achieved without them.
What makes this goal so important are the impacts of meeting the minimum 75% diversion rate, as it applies to the State goal that 75% of all waste to be recycled by the year 2020. The State continues to set ambitious goals for its cities and counties to achieve, while those responsible for meeting those goals scramble to implement systems to comply. Compliance with this goal is good for our community’s long-term health and sustainable future.
A Salinas Area Materials Recovery Center (as suggested within the stated goal) has been in discussion since the Sun Street Transfer Station was established in Salinas in 2005. In anticipation of the 2009 closure of the Crazy Horse Canyon Landfill, the Sun Street location was planned first to be a temporary public service facility while a more appropriate fully enclosed building was designed and constructed on the site to serve the long-term recycling and disposal needs of residents and businesses in the northernmost and populous places in the Salinas Valley Recycles service area.
Since that long-range plan was approved in 2005, the City of Salinas has decided to pursue redevelopment in the area of the current Sun Street facility and requested Salinas Valley Recycles relocate to another suitable location.
Having a Salinas area location allows for reduction of waste at its source through more advanced recycling systems and public/private partnerships. These local actions can create new sustainable, local jobs and reduce the number of garbage trucks and passenger vehicles making the trek to Johnson Canyon Landfill 20+ miles south in Gonzales, or 15+ miles west to the landfill in Marina (operated by Monterey Regional Waste Management District).
Five options for a more permanent solution are currently under examination through a highly technical process to thoroughly vet and analyze their long-term economic, financial and environmental implications. The outcome of this analysis will be delivered in the form of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared by independent contractor AECOM to objectively break down the pros and cons of each option.
The EIR findings are just the beginning. Implementing a viable solution for sustainable solid waste management for eastern Monterey County requires collaboration between private industry, government and the public. Refraining from endorsing any option until the EIR is released, Salinas Valley Recycles puts its faith in the process and the community. “We need to hear from our communities,” says Chief Administrative Officer Patrick Mathews. “The practical issue of managing waste for the Salinas Valley isn’t going away, so it remains a matter of finding the best possible way to do that. We will provide unbiased information to the public and elected officials in terms that are easily understandable, to help them make the best decisions.” Two additional studies have been added to support the environmental review process: a Long-range Financial & Rate Model regarding operational costs for recycling and waste management, and an Economic Benefits Study pertaining to the community. “Future job opportunities and costs are just as important to the community decision as environmental impacts.”
Though the EIR itself will be technical in nature, it will be available for public review in its entirety, with the executive summaries and all public notices translated to Spanish. To assist the general public in understanding the impacts of each option and the overall findings, as well as provide the public with a forum for comments and questions, public meetings will be held to present the findings in layperson’s terms. The EIR is anticipated in mid 2017, with meetings to be held thereafter.
“We encourage everyone in the region to pay attention to the EIR and supplemental studies, and be involved in the decision-making process,” states Mathews, “because it will have implications on sustainability for our future generations.” Salinas Valley Recycles will publicize meeting announcements once the EIR is available, but those interested are encouraged to sign up for notifications through the SalinasValleyRecycles.org web page contact form.
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More about Salinas Valley Recycles’ 3-Year Strategic Goals:
The goals set for 2016-2019 (not in priority order)
Select and implement facilities (e.g., Salinas Area Materials Recovery Center) and programs that lead to achievement of at least 75% waste diversion.
Reduce landfill disposal fee dependence through self-funded programs and new revenue sources.
Promote the value of SVR services and programs to the community.
Maintain a high performance and flexible workforce.
Twice each year, the Board meets with key members of Salinas Valley Recycles’ management team to reaffirm and track progress of the 3-Year Strategic Goals, and establish a set of specific 6-month objectives providing tactics to progress toward fulfillment of the Goals.
More about Salinas Valley Recycles: The Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, a.k.a. Salinas Valley Recycles (SVR), is a joint powers agency made up of the following local governments: Monterey County (eastern half of the unincorporated county), and the cities of Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Salinas, and Soledad.
SVR is responsible for providing secure long-term resource recovery services and solid waste disposal to all of its members in an environmentally sound and cost-effective manner. To accomplish this goal, SVR currently owns and manages three closed and one active landfill and two transfer stations, and oversees the operation of these facilities that serve its 2,400 square mile service territory. SVR is also responsible for overseeing future expansion of waste and recycling programs and infrastructure and landfill services to meet the area’s long-term solid waste disposal needs.
128 Sun Street, Suite 101, Salinas | Main office 831.775.3000 | www.SalinasValleyRecycles.org