Grant targets hazardous waste

Thu., June 12, 2008

The Spokesman-Review

The Spokane Regional Solid Waste System received a $914,000 grant from the Washington Department of Ecology to collect more than 1,200 tons of household hazardous waste and recycle or properly dispose of it.

The grant is part of $2.8 million awarded to 11 Eastern Washington counties for waste reduction, recycling projects and increased enforcement.

The grant will provide technical assistance to 100 businesses. It also will pay for operation of Cheney’s recycling facility.

Spokane Regional Environmental Health will use $106,849 for enforcement of solid waste management rules by conducting 56 inspections and issuing permits to 14 facilities. In addition, county staff will respond to 800 complaints involving illegal dumping or improper handling of solid waste.

Ferry County

ORV ordinance put on hold

A Spokane judge has issued a temporary injunction barring Ferry County officials from enforcing a controversial ordinance opening up large sections of the county to off-road vehicles.

In an order this week, Spokane County Superior Court Judge Michael P. Price said he had “significant concerns” about Ferry County’s enactment of a revised ordinance originally passed in December 2007 only hours before a court hearing last Friday.

In December, Ferry County commissioners voted to designate 54 roads, trails and rights of way as off-road vehicle riding areas in an effort to attract tourism dollars.

The Quiet Communities Coalition, opponents of the plan, sued in February to halt the ordinance, saying local officials overstepped their authority and failed to comply with state environmental laws. Ferry County Commissioner Mike Blankenship has called their lawsuit “grandstanding.”

The venue for the lawsuit was changed to Spokane County and Price was assigned to the case after one Ferry County judge recused himself and the county filed an affidavit of prejudice against the other judge.

COEUR D’ALENE

Forest offices to close for training

Some Idaho Panhandle National Forests offices will be closed on Tuesday while staff receive training.

The closed offices include the Bonners Ferry Ranger District; Sandpoint Ranger District, Priest Lake Ranger District; the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District’s Smelterville office; and St. Joe River Ranger District offices in St. Maries, Avery and Clarkia.

SUTHERLIN, Ore.

Hundreds of rats taken from home

Police Chief Tom Boggs informed the Sutherlin City Council this week that a pest-removal company has trapped and removed 788 rats from an infested house.

An exterminator will be brought in to poison any remaining rodents.

The council declared the property a nuisance in early March and subsequently received permission from Douglas County to proceed with the extermination efforts.

Neighbors at this week’s council meeting say the smell has improved since March, but flies are a problem.

The homeowner has declined to comment.

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