Rotting Yard Waste May Prompt Fine

Air quality regulators are moving for the first time to fine Spokane’s yard waste composting plant for foul odors over the Memorial Day weekend.

The Spokane Solid Waste Disposal Project uses the Colbert facility for yard wastes collected throughout the city and county,

The Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority received a rash of complaints about rotting yard waste, said director Eric Skelton.

Air quality cops sniffed the stench Tuesday night and issued a violation notice to the Spokane Regional Composting Facility the next day.

“They verified strong, foul odors they deemed to be unreasonable,” Skelton said.

Penalties could range from a typical $250 a day to a maximum $10,000 a day.

People living in a subdivision near the facility on Elk-Chattaroy Road have complained about the stink for more than a year.

The air regulators waited to allow operators from O.M. Scott and Co. and city officials to work out solutions, Skelton said.

The facility has 30 days to respond to the notice of violation.

Phil Williams, director of the solid waste project, was out of town Friday and could not be reached for comment.

, DataTimes