Closure of some green box sites rankles residents

Some folks in eastern Flathead County predict that trash could pile up along U.S. Highway 2 if proposed trash site consolidation goes forward.

Flathead County is scheduled to close three green box sites along U.S. 2. Plans are to close sites at Essex, Nyack and the site at Glacier Haven Inn known as the Denny's site. The Coram site would remain open.

About 50 residents attended a public meeting on the issue last week at West Glacier. The county Solid Waste Board met to take comments on the issue.

Dean Jones said he's seen people who are passing through use the current dumpsites.

"We have a tremendous number of tourists using those boxes. If they're not there those ditches will be filled up quickly," he said.

The board is looking at closing a number of sites in the county as a cost-saving measure. Sites in the Canyon and Middle Fork areas are the second phase of the plan.

"(The decision) is based on many issues, but it's centered on the financial cost to operate," said Dave Prunty, county public works director.

Less than 1 percent of the waste hauled by the county comes from the three sites, but they are the most costly.

The cost per ton of hauling waste from the sites is $104 per ton. That is compared to the Columbia Falls site — the county's busiest — which costs $24 per ton to haul.

Cost was the reason the sites were chosen for consolidation, board chairman Hank Olson said.

The county is also being forced to consolidate sites because of its liability insurance. The county's insurance hasn't been keen on the sites being unmanned. Eventually all green box sites will likely have to be manned, said Olson, which means the county's costs will increase.

Olson called the green box sites a "conveyance."

"Is this a done deal? Yes, unless we get something from this meeting that tells us we shouldn't (consolidate)," said Olson.

Monetary reasons didn't sit well with attendees.

"You are asking everyone of us to make a 60-mile round trip to deliver our garbage to town once a week," said one woman.

From the county line at Marias Pass to the Coram site is 51 miles, and Essex to the site is about 35 miles.

The Solid Waste Board suggests that residents hire a private contractor individually or as groups. Evergreen Disposal provides service to the area. They would still be required to pay the $85 per year county assessment for garbage.

"If you want to get that service to your door you can pay the contractor," board member Greg Acton said.

Several in attendance asked the board to consider operating the green box sites during the summer.

The board agreed to look into that option.