February 2, 2022
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency “SCWMA” (also known as Zero Waste Sonoma) will hold a virtual Public Hearing via Zoom to consider an increase to the Agency surcharge and the disposal fees for Yard Debris charged by SCWMA and collected by the County of Sonoma at its disposal sites.
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March 30, 2021
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency “SCWMA” (also known as Zero Waste Sonoma) will hold a virtual Public Hearing via Zoom to consider an increase to the disposal fees for Wood Waste and Yard Debris charged by SCWMA and collected by the County of Sonoma at its disposal sites.
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October 21, 2020
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Directors of Zero Waste Sonoma (the “Agency”) intends to amend the Agency’s Conflict of Interest Code (the “Code”) pursuant to Government Code sections 87306 and 87306.5.
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September 11, 2020
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency “SCWMA” (also known as Zero Waste Sonoma) will hold a virtual Public Hearing via Zoom to consider an increase to the disposal fees for Wood Waste and Yard Debris charged by SCWMA and collected by the County of Sonoma at its disposal sites.
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March 18, 2020
The Board of Directors the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (also known as Zero Waste Sonoma) intends to lease real property located at 490 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA to be used for office purposes for Agency staff pursuant to the provisions of Section 25350 of the California Government Code upon the following term and conditions:
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March 15, 2019
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA) will hold a Public Hearing at Santa Rosa City Hall, located at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, California to consider an increase to the disposal fees for Wood Waste and Yard Debris charged by SCWMA and collected by the County of Sonoma at its disposal sites.
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June 16, 2017
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency “SCWMA” (also known as Zero Waste Sonoma) will hold a Public Hearing to consider an increase to the disposal fees for Wood Waste and Yard Debris charged by SCWMA and collected by the County of Sonoma at its disposal sites.
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April 13, 2017
Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA) is holding two public workshops to receive feedback on an upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) process for securing long term organics processing capacity
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April 25, 2016
The SCWMA and RENALE have resolved a lawsuit related to the SCWMA’s certification of a Final Environmental Impact Report and selection of the Central Disposal Site as the location for a future compost facility. Under the terms of the agreement, the SCWMA will consider rescinding certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report and selection of the Central Disposal Site at its May 18, 2016 Board of Directors meeting. Please see the attached press release for more information.
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October 16, 2014
Notice is hereby given that on October 16, 2014, the Sonoma County Environmental Health Department, Solid Waste Management Program, acting as the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) has approved of the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency’s Solid Waste Facility Permit amendment for minor site improvements.
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October 4, 2012
This meeting will allow public comment on the recirculated DEIR for the proposed compost facility. The recirculated Draft EIR is available for a 45 day public comment period from October 4, 2012 through November 19, 2012. See the notice of availability Copies of the RDEIR are available to the public for review or purchase at the SCWMA office in Santa Rosa (2300 County Center Drive, Suite B100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403) and available for review at local libraries throughout the County. Electronic copies of the RDEIR and also the previous December 2011 Draft EIR are available online
The SCWMA will also hold a public hearing on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in the Ray Miller Community Center – Cotati Room, 216 East School Street, Cotati, CA 94931. This hearing will allow public comment on the RDEIR for the proposed Central Site Alternative. Comments received during the comment period, including the public hearing, will be considered by the SCWMA during the preparation of the Final EIR. Comments may be submitted in writing to:
Mr. Patrick Carter, Executive Director
Sonoma County Waste Management Agency
2300 County Center Drive, Suite B100
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
patrick.carter@sonoma-county.org
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July 4, 2012
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a proposed regulation promoting a uniform program for reducing waste by decreasing the use of single-use carryout bags. The proposed Waste Reduction Program for Carryout Bags would regulate the use of paper and plastic single-use carryout bags within the geographical limits of Sonoma County, including the nine incorporated cities and town, starting July 1, 2013. The intent of the ordinance is to reduce the environmental impacts related to the use of single-use carryout bags and to promote a shift toward the use of reusable bags.
As specified by the State CEQA Guidelines, the Notice of Preparation will be circulated for a 30-day review period. The SCWMA welcomes agency and public input during this period regarding the scope and content of environmental information that must be included in the Draft EIR. Responses to this Notice of Preparation may be submitted, in writing, by 5:00 p.m. on November 16, 2012, to:
Patrick Carter, Executive Director
Sonoma County Waste Management Agency
2300 County Center Drive, Suite B100
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
email: patrick.carter@sonoma-county.org
PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS: Scoping meetings will be held during the comment period to take comments related to the scope of the environmental issues to be analyzed within the Draft EIR. The dates, times, and locations of the scoping meetings are listed below.
- October 30, 2012, 6 pm, Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial, North Room, 1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa
- November 1, 2012, 6 pm, Sonoma Veterans Memorial, Lounge Room, 126 First Street West, Sonoma
- November 2, 2012, 6 pm, Petaluma Veterans Memorial, Conference Room A, 1094 Petaluma Blvd S., Petaluma
- November 7, 2012, 6 pm, Windsor Community Center, Elsbree Hall, 901 Adele Drive, Windsor
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January 20, 2012
Project Title: SCWMA Compost Facility
Project Applicant: Sonoma County Waste Management Agency
Date: January 20, 2012
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA), as the lead agency under the California Environmental Protection Act (CEQA), has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the SCWMA Compost Facility. The DEIR identifies impacts and environmental issues related to the SCWMACompost Facility (proposed project), and also discusses and analyzes alternatives to the proposed project, as required by CEQA.
The proposed project would process (either through windrow or aerated static pile [ASP] methods) up to 200,000 tons of compost materials per year. The new compost facility may be selected from the three sites studied at project-level in this document. These sites include:
- The project site (Site 5A) -- a 70-acre compost facility located on 100 acres in unincorporated Sonoma County, approximately 6 miles southeast of the City of Petaluma, between Lakeville Road and the Petaluma River;
- The Site 40 Alternative -- a 48-acre compost facility located on 390 acres in unincorporated Sonoma County, located approximately 2.5 miles east of the City of Petaluma at the intersection of Adobe Road and Stage Gulch Road (State Route 116); and
- The Central Site Alternative -- a 38-acre compost facility on the 400-acre Central Disposal Site, approximately 1.5 miles southwest of the City of Cotati, off of Mecham Road.
The proposed project includes constructing a new compost facility that would replace the existing composting facility at the Central Disposal Site. The objectives for the proposed project are the relocation of the SCWMA's composting operations from its current location at the County's Central Disposal Site; the establishment of a permanent composting facility in Sonoma County with sufficient capacity for current and future quantities; and to assist jurisdictions within SCWMA's service area in meeting the goals and objectives for waste diversion as set forth in the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939). The DEIR provides the environmental information and evaluation of three sites at the project level of detail. The DEIR is necessary for the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project and is intended to provide sufficient environmental documentation to inform the public and allow the SCWMA Board Members to 2300 County Center Drive, Suite B 100, Santa Rosa, California 95403 Phone: (707) 565.3579 Fax: (707) 565.3701 www.recyclenow.org Printed on Recycled Paper with post-consumer content make an informed decision concerning approval, disapproval, or modification of the proposed project.
Significant adverse environmental impacts
The following significant adverse impacts associated with the proposed project (Site 5A), the Site 40 Alternative, and the Central Site Alternative would be unavoidable, even with the implementation of the mitigation measures identified in this report:
Proposed Project (Site 5A)
- Impact 5.1 – Project construction (either windrow or aerated static pile (ASP) composting option) emissions of NOx.
- Impact 5.10 – Project contribution during construction (windrow composting option) to cumulative emissions of NOx.
- Impact 5.11 – Project contribution during construction (ASP composting option) to cumulative emissions of NOx.
- Impact 8.5: The project would be located within a FEMA-defined 100-year floodplain, and would result in the displacement of flood waters.
- Impact 9.2 – The project has the potential to conflict with the Sonoma County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, resulting in adverse physical effects.
Site 40 Alternative
- Impact 15.1 – Site 40 Alternative construction (either windrow or aerated static pile (ASP) composting option) emissions of NOx.
- Impact 15.6 - Site 40 Alternative (windrow composting option) may lead to increases in chronic exposure of sensitive receptors in the vicinity to certain toxic air contaminants from various stationary and mobile sources.
- Impact 15.10 – Site 40 Alternative contribution during construction (windrow composting option) to cumulative emissions of NOx.
- Impact 15.11 – Site 40 Alternative contribution during construction (ASP composting option) to cumulative emissions of NOx.
- Impact 19.2 – The Site 40 Alternative has the potential to conflict with the Sonoma County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, resulting in adverse physical effects.
- Impact 19.3: The Site 40 Alternative would result in the conversion of agricultural land, specifically Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, Farmland of Local Importance and Grazing Land.
Central Site Alternative
- Impact 29.2 - Operation of the Central Site Alternative composting facility could expose persons to or generate noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plans or noise ordinances, or applicable standards of other agencies.
The following significant adverse impacts would be unavoidable for the proposed project (Site 5A) if mitigation measures identified in the EIR were found to be infeasible, as the County of Sonoma has ultimate jurisdiction in making the proposed roadway improvements:
- Impact 12.2 – The project could worsen traffic safety at the intersection of Twin House Ranch Road and Lakeville Road due to existing roadway design.
- Impact 12.4 – The project would generate turning movements by heavy vehicles to and from Lakeville Road at Twin House Ranch Road, increasing the potential for road hazard conflicts between project traffic and through traffic under Near-Term Cumulative conditions.
- Impact 12.5 – The project would contribute to significant Long-Term Cumulative traffic volumes at study intersections.
- Impact 12.6 – The project would generate turning movements by heavy vehicles to and from Lakeville Road at Twin House Ranch Road, increasing the potential for road hazard conflicts between project traffic and through traffic under Long-Term Cumulative conditions.
DEIR Availability, Commenting Procedures, and Meeting on DEIR
It was previously noticed that the Draft EIR would be available for a 45-day public comment period from December 21, 2011 through February 3, 2012. The comment deadline has been extended to February 21, 2012. Copies of the DEIR are available to the public for review or purchase at the SCWMA office in Santa Rosa (2300 County Center Drive, Suite B100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403) and available for review at local libraries throughout the County. Electronic copies of the DEIR are also available online at: http://www.recyclenow.org/agency/reports.asp.
The public may present comments and concerns regarding the adequacy of the DEIR. Comments may be submitted in writing to:
Mr. Patrick Carter, Waste Management Specialist
Sonoma County Waste Management Agency
2300 County Center Drive, Suite B100
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Fax: (707) 565-3701
patrick.carter@sonoma-county.org
Please be sure to include your name, address, and telephone number in your correspondence. Written comments on the DEIR must be postmarked or received by fax or e-mail no later than 4:00 pm, February 21, 2012.
Comments received during the comment period will be considered by the SCWMA during the preparation of the Final EIR.
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January 15, 2012
Notice is hereby given that on January 15, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA) will hold a Public Hearing at Santa Rosa City Hall, located at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, California. At that time, the SCWMA will consider a proposed ordinance to adopt a waste reduction program for carryout bags (the Ordinance). The Ordinance proposes to reduce solid waste related to the use and litter of paper and plastic carryout bags received by customers at retail establishments in Sonoma County.
As the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, the SCWMA determined that an Environmental Impact Report was necessary to study the potential impacts associated with the adoption of the Ordinance. Accordingly, an EIR (SCH # 2012102039) was prepared. The Final EIR is now complete and addresses environmental impacts and analyzes alternatives to the proposed Ordinance. All impacts were found to be either beneficial or less than significant, with no mitigation measures required.
At this public hearing, the SCWMA Board of Directors will consider and may certify the Final EIR and may vote to introduce and hear or waive the first reading of the Ordinance.
The Final EIR and the proposed Ordinance are available for viewing at the SCWMA's website here. (the ordinance is at the end of the Final EIR document). Copies of the documents are also available for viewing at the SCMWA office at 2300 County Center Drive, Suite B100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
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December 21, 2011
Project Title: SCWMA Compost Facility
Project Applicant: Sonoma County Waste Management Agency
Date: December 21, 2011
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA), as the lead agency under the California Environmental Protection Act (CEQA), has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the SCWMA Compost Facility. The DEIR identifies impacts and environmental issues related to the SCWMACompost Facility (proposed project), and also discusses and analyzes alternatives to the proposed project, as required by CEQA.
The proposed project would process (either through windrow or aerated static pile [ASP] methods) up to 200,000 tons of compost materials per year. The new compost facility may be selected from the three sites studied at project-level in this document. These sites include:
- The project site (Site 5A) -- a 70-acre compost facility located on 100 acres in unincorporated Sonoma County, approximately 6 miles southeast of the City of Petaluma, between Lakeville Road and the Petaluma River;
- The Site 40 Alternative -- a 48-acre compost facility located on 390 acres in unincorporated Sonoma County, located approximately 2.5 miles east of the City of Petaluma at the intersection of Adobe Road and Stage Gulch Road (State Route 116); and
- The Central Site Alternative -- a 38-acre compost facility on the 400-acre Central Disposal Site, approximately 1.5 miles southwest of the City of Cotati, off of Mecham Road.
The proposed project includes constructing a new compost facility that would replace the existing composting facility at the Central Disposal Site. The objectives for the proposed project are the relocation of the SCWMA’s composting operations from its current location at the County’s Central Disposal Site; the establishment of a permanent composting facility in Sonoma County with sufficient capacity for current and future quantities; and to assist jurisdictions within SCWMA’s service area in meeting the goals and objectives for waste diversion as set forth in the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939). The DEIRprovides the environmental information and evaluation of three sites at the project level of detail. The DEIRis necessary for the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project and is intended to provide sufficient environmental documentation to inform the public and allow the SCWMA Board Members to make an informed decision concerning approval, disapproval, or modification of the proposed project.
Significant adverse environmental impacts
The following significant adverse impacts associated with the proposed project (Site 5A), the Site 40 Alternative, and the Central Site Alternative would be unavoidable, even with the implementation of the mitigation measures identified in this report:
Proposed Project (Site 5A)
- Impact 5.1 – Project construction (either windrow or aerated static pile (ASP) composting option) emissions of NOx.
- Impact 5.10 – Project contribution during construction (windrow composting option) to cumulative emissions of NOx.
- Impact 5.11 – Project contribution during construction (ASP composting option) to cumulative emissions of NOx.
- Impact 8.5: The project would be located within a FEMA-defined 100-year floodplain, and would result in the displacement of flood waters.
- Impact 9.2 – The project has the potential to conflict with the Sonoma County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, resulting in adverse physical effects.
Site 40 Alternative
- Impact 15.1 – Site 40 Alternative construction (either windrow or aerated static pile (ASP) composting option) emissions of NOx.
- Impact 15.6 - Site 40 Alternative (windrow composting option) may lead to increases in chronic exposure of sensitive receptors in the vicinity to certain toxic air contaminants from various stationary and mobile sources.
- Impact 15.10 – Site 40 Alternative contribution during construction (windrow composting option) to cumulative emissions of NOx.
- Impact 15.11 – Site 40 Alternative contribution during construction (ASP composting option) to cumulative emissions of NOx.
- Impact 19.2 – The Site 40 Alternative has the potential to conflict with the Sonoma County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, resulting in adverse physical effects.
- Impact 19.3: The Site 40 Alternative would result in the conversion of agricultural land, specifically Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, Farmland of Local Importance and Grazing Land.
Central Site Alternative
- Impact 29.2 - Operation of the Central Site Alternative composting facility could expose persons to or generate noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plans or noise ordinances, or applicable standards of other agencies.
The following significant adverse impacts would be unavoidable for the proposed project (Site 5A) if mitigation measures identified in the EIR were found to be infeasible, as the County of Sonoma has ultimate jurisdiction in making the proposed roadway improvements:
- Impact 12.2 – The project could worsen traffic safety at the intersection of Twin House Ranch Road and Lakeville Road due to existing roadway design.
- Impact 12.4 – The project would generate turning movements by heavy vehicles to and from Lakeville Road at Twin House Ranch Road, increasing the potential for road hazard conflicts between project traffic and through traffic under Near-Term Cumulative conditions.
- Impact 12.5 – The project would contribute to significant Long-Term Cumulative traffic volumes at study intersections.
- Impact 12.6 – The project would generate turning movements by heavy vehicles to and from Lakeville Road at Twin House Ranch Road, increasing the potential for road hazard conflicts between project traffic and through traffic under Long-Term Cumulative conditions.
DEIR Availability, Commenting Procedures, and Meeting on DEIR
The Draft EIR is available for a 45-day public comment period from December 21, 2011 through February 3, 2012. Copies of the DEIR are available to the public for review or purchase at the SCWMA office in Santa Rosa (2300 County Center Drive, Suite B100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403) and available for review at local libraries throughout the County. Electronic copies of the DEIR are also available online at: http://www.recyclenow.org/agency/reports.asp.
The public may present comments and concerns regarding the adequacy of the DEIR. Comments may be submitted in writing to:
Mr. Patrick Carter, Waste Management Specialist
Sonoma County Waste Management Agency
2300 County Center Drive, Suite B100
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Fax: (707) 565-3701
patrick.carter@sonoma-county.org
Please be sure to include your name, address, and telephone number in your correspondence. Written comments on the DEIR must be postmarked or received by fax or e-mail no later than 4:00 pm, February 3, 2012.
The SCWMA will also hold a public hearingon Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in the City of Santa Rosa Council Chambers, 100 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95404. This hearing will allow public comment on the DEIR for the proposed compost facility project. Comments received during the comment period, including the public hearing, will be considered by the SCWMA during the preparation of the Final EIR.
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