Agenda - Council - 09/25/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I 47) 48) 49) 5o) 51) 52) 53) 54) 55) That Rutger's indicates that approximately one acre is required for composting of approximately 3,000 cubic yards of leaves under low level technology and that at the above ratio the 14.5 acres designated for composting would accommodate approximately 43,500 cubic yards or 8,700 tons of leaf compost rather than the requested 23,200 ton capacity. That W/~4I has indicated that windrows would be formed which would be 12 ft. high and 24 ft. wide yet the Rutger's low level technology indicates moderate size piles (6 ft. x 12-14 ft. width) should be used to meet desired conditions. That Rutgers indicates "that the major cause of odor production at leaf composting sites is making the windrow too large, especially when first assembled." That Rutgers indicated that water should be applied to incoming leaves being windrowed at the approximate ratio of 20 gallons per cubic yard. At this ratio, the requested capacity would require over 2.3 million gallons of water during initial compost windrowing. Further that WMMI has not indicated an adequate water source for said operation. That under the described approach Rutgers indicates "that because of the odors produced, a large buffer zone is needed". That Rutgers also indicates "adequate wetting usually cannot be accomplished simply by spraying water on the outside of the piles. Similarly, rainfall is not effective within the required time frame." That WMMI has stated that they would also receive grass clippings, and further that the generators would be unlikely to separate grass clippings from leaves so that it would be impractical to control. That Rutgers indicates "although grass clippings are readily compostable, the odor problems they pose make this treatment option difficult to implement for most communities." Further, that "optimal means of co-composting leaves and grass clippings are not yet fully developed." That Rutgers indicates that a possible health concern with leaf composting is the release of spores of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus which are capable of providing allergic responses or causing infections in individuals with weakened immune systems. Further study is currently underway on this aspect but early indications are that this can be controlled through proper site operation. That no other conditional use permits for composting sites have been issued in the City.