New York State Department of Em Division of Materials Management Bureau of Permitting and Planning, 9* Floor 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-7260 Phone: (518) 402-8678 * Fax: (518) 402-9024 Website: wuwades.ny.gov ‘onmental Conservation Joe Martens Acting Commissioner HAR O3 21 ‘Thomas N. Wood Ill, Chairman Saratoga County Board of Supervisors 40 McMaster St. Ballston Spa, NY 12020 Re: Local Solid Waste Management Plan Status Dear Chairman Wood: Saratoga County's (County) Local Solid Waste Management Plan (LSWMP) expired at the end 0f 2010, and I am concemed about the County’s progress on development of a new LSWMP. Accordingly, Iam writing this letter for two primary purposes: first to request a schedule for the development, submittal and implementation of a new replacement LSWMP; and second to urge Saratoga County to use this opportunity of preparing a new LSWMP to address not only environmentally sound management of solid waste within the County over the next ten years, but to become a driving force in assisting its residents in achieving more sustainable methods of waste management. The key to effective waste management is proper planning. The development and implementation of LSWMPs are considered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) to be a critical component of a municipality's effort in assuring the desired and proper management of solid waste generated within its borders is provided. Priorities must be carefully considered in the planning process to assure limited resources are spent wisely on projects that establish rational, lasting foundations for environmentally sound solid waste and materials management at the local level. The value of developing and implementing a vibrant LSWMP cannot be overstated. In addition to it being environmentally responsible to have a LSWMP in effect, there are also potential consequences to Saratoga County of not having a LSWMP in effect which include, but are not limited to, the following: NYCRR Patt 360-1.7(g) requires that all permit applications made by or on behalf of a ‘municipality cannot be determined to be complete until a LSWMP is approved by the Department and in effect. 2. ONYCRR Part 360-1.11(h) requires that no waste be accepted by authorized solid waste management facilities when a comprehensive recycling analysis (CRA) is not in effect in the municipality from which the waste is generated. A comprehensive recycling analysis is a crucial and required component of a LSWMP. Saratoga County currently exports almost all of its solid waste to other locations in New York State ~ the impact of not having a current CRA (and implementing the recycling provisions of that CRA) could result in the inability of these disposal facilities to accept solid waste from Saratoga County,3. The Department has awarded State grant funding to municipalities in almost every County of the State (including to numerous individual municipalities within Saratoga County) through the Municipal Waste Reduction & Recycling and Houschold Hazardous Waste (HHW) State Assistance Programs. HHW events, recycling coordinator salary, collection vehicles and material recovery facilities and their associated processing equipment have all been funded through these grant programs. The Department's ability to relcase payments to municipalities for eligible projects may be adversely affected without a LSWMP in effect. Its critical that planning units such as Saratoga County continually evaluate and improve their solid waste management strategies as they serve together with the Department as guardians of public health, safety and the environment. An estimated 37 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) are ‘managed each ycar in New York State. If disposed, MSW decomposition in a landfill or its combustion in a munic:pal waste combustor, generates approximately 5.74 MMT COE (million metric tons of CO, equivalent} annually, or 2.17 percent of total GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions statewide. Recycling and solid waste management best practices arc essential to reducing GHG emissions and combating climate change. urge you to work expeditiously to ensure compliance with the planning requirements in 6 NYCRR Part 360. The Department is open and committed to assist the County in its developing and finalization a new LSWMP for the next ten-year period that advances the principles of proper materials, ‘management and is consistent with the State’s solid waste policy and new solid waste management plan, ‘According. y, we request to meet with you regarding progress on LSWMP development in the near future. Please let me know when you are available during the month of March 2011 so we can set up an appropriate date and location for a meeting. We look forward to a working with you in this important endeavor, If you have any questions, please call me at (518) 402-8678. Zé J a GusCarayiannis, PE Chi Planning and Municipal Assistance Section ce: D.Mt. Pleasant, NYSDEC Region 5 (via email) J Ritchey, Saratoga Co. DPW ‘bce: G, Carayiannis (via email) GCks CMWPDOCS\GUS Saratoga County LSWMP March 2010.docx