Town of Mammoth Lakes response to the Final Report of the 2019-20 Grand Jury*

The 18-19 Solid Waste Committee recommended that TOML view the Mammoth Disposal transfer station as phase one of the solid waste plan with phase two being a larger site which could accommodate the processing of industrial waste, green waste and other programs which can be used to reduce landfill usage and reduce costs. In their response to the 18-19 Grand Jury report, TOML agreed with the recommendation and stated that the new agreement would include construction of a new transfer facility and clean Material Recovery Facility (MRF) sized to accommodate the projected solid waste needs of TOML as well as Mono County. Participation in the use of the facility by Mono County would be an option as the County works to finalize their overall system changes in response to the landfill closure. The new agreement will also require Mammoth Disposal to procure long- hauling agreements outside of the County to dispose of solid waste once Benton Crossing Landfill has closed. TOML also stated that a public outreach plan to ensure the public has sufficient time and information to plan for the closure and changes in services and cost. Development of other sites and facilities can be determined once the agreement with Mammoth Disposal is in place. As of this writing TOML and Mammoth Disposal have extended the current agreement three times. The latest extension of the contract will expire December 30, 2020. TOML has stated that 1 they are waiting to have a proper rate analysis study completed before terms of a new contract can be discussed.

The 18-19 Grand Jury recommended that TOML and Mono County partner to make necessary improvements to the Pumice Valley site so it could be a viable location for a biomass reactor, associated waste programs, and recycling operations. Timeline: Completed no later than January 1, 2023. TOML responded to the 18-19 Report that a biomass facility will not be a condition of the Agreement, but the Agreement will allow for diversion of certain types of waste to such a facility should it be developed in the future. Impacts to the residents of Mammoth Lakes and Mono County will be better known once the Agreement is in place. Mono County had some questions about the economic, political, and environmental ramifications of a biomass reactor. Mono County's response to the 18-19 Grand Jury also cited the need for further analysis and a better understanding of what the upcoming solid waste program will look like in Mammoth Lakes and Mono County overall. TOML and Mono County agreed that while Pumice Valley was under consideration for such a site, it was not the only site under consideration.

The 18-19 Grand Jury recommended that TOML and Mono County develop a plan for complying with the amounts of recycling and organic waste going to landfills in the likely event that State of California rural exemptions are changed by July 1, 2020. Mono County informed the 19-20 Grand Jury that they have applied for an extension of the low population waiver of mandates concerning organic waste and methane emissions in SB1383. No changes to rural exemptions were being considered during the comment period. The waiver would expire in 2025, or later if the State were to meet organic waste reduction targets. Mono County will also be applying for an Elevation Waiver under section 18984.13(d) which is applicable indefinitely. In addition, Mono County has taken significant steps in improving capacity and efficiency of processing green material, more specifically, wood material. Wood material can be processed into several beneficial products including biomass feedstock, alternative cover, mulch, and erosion control media. Specialized equipment has been acquired and implemented. Additionally, Benton Crossing Landfill has implemented a composting pilot program. Testing is under way to identify an appropriate recipe of ingredients based on incoming waste streams. Mono County further stated that they are actively involved in regional efforts to address green waste diversion. Collaboration and planning on upcoming forest health improvement and water quality projects include entities such as the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Sierra Institute, Inyo- Mono Integrated Regional Water Management Program, Eastern California Water Association, Plumas Corporation, Inyo National Forest and CalTrout. Mono County has agreed to allow siting of TOML's proposed biomass infrastructure at Pumice Valley Landfill and assisted with production of the Town's RFP (request for proposal) for equipment and technology which would remove organic material from the waste stream and out of landfills which may be used in the production of valuable products such as biochar, energy, compost, or similar type products.