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Item C36 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 12/16/09 Division: Public Works Bulk Item: Yes --.X... No Department: Solid Waste Management Staff Contact: Colleen Murphy/292-4432 AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval to submit application to apply for USDA Rural Development Program Solid Waste Management Grant Funds that will be used to 1). improve planning and management of solid waste and to 2). reduce, monitor, and eliminate sources of pollution impacting water resources in Monroe County, and 3.) enable achievement of State and County recycling goals. ITEM BACKGROUND: County Staff and contracted experts, in collaboration with schools, business groups, service providers and community organizations, will provide technical assistance and training to: l.)improve landfill monitoring, household hazardous waste disposal and County public park area waste management, 2.) provide a comprehensive community education program that includes outreach to area schools and businesses, 3.) develop a pilot composting program for residents, schools, and community gardens, and 4.) present a multi- media information campaign (bi-lingual and usable by persons with disabilities) that includes radio, television, publications, and internet resources to promote solid waste reuse, reduction, recycling and composting, and conduct a survey of local agencies, organizations, residents and tourists to guide the development of a Monroe County Solid Waste Master Plan. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: N/A CONTRACVAGREEMENTCHANGES: N~ STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval TOTAL COST: N/A BUDGETED: Yes NoX COST TO COUNTY: N/A SOURCE OF FUNDS: Special Assessment REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes --.X... No _ AMOUNT PER YEAR; $ 200.000 (approximately) APPROVED BY: County Atty YES OMB/Purchasing Risk Management N/ A_ DOCUMENTATION: Included X Not Required_ DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM # Revised 11/06 DRAFT -USDA GRANT APPLlCA TION- DRAFT Need for Proiect / Services Monroe County Florida currently does not have active landfills to serve an area that spans over 125 miles and includes a string of 25 populated islands surrounded by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Known as the Florida Keys, this chain of islands' only connection to the Florida mainland is the Overseas Highway. Unincorporated Monroe County has one of the lowest population densities in the Nation. According to Growth Management statistics, unincorporated areas of Monroe County have slightly more than 36,000 year-round residents, yet many of the semi-autonomous island communities have populations ranging from less than one thousand to just over ten thousand year-round residents. Although rural in many ways, the Florida Keys' special attractions create numerous solid waste disposal challenges. An estimated three million visitors every year come for boating, fishing, diving and enjoyment the unique environment. Designated a Florida Area of Critical Concem, the Florida Keys are surrounded by the only living coral reefs within easy reach of mainland United States. Popular special events may also bring an influx of one hundred thousand visitors for a weekend in the Florida Keys. Thousands of seasonal, part-time and transient residents also add to the solid waste disposal challenges. Despite the impact of tourism, Monroe County remains essentially rural with large tracts of land designated for conservation and recreation. The Florida Keys include numerous National Wildlife Refuge areas, State Parks, and the National Park lands in the Everglades and Dry Tortugas. While rich in recreational attractions for visitors, many residents actually have limited options and access to many services. Visitors often do not care about the special needs of this fragile area. In response to concerns about negative impacts to water quality within the fragile marine ecosystem and unsuitable geological substrate, the last landfill in the Florida Keys was permanently closed in 1990. Since the closure of all Monroe County landfills and decommissioning of the incinerator plant on Stock Island, nearly all of the solid waste generated within the Florida Keys has been transported to mainland solid waste facilities. At present, both recyclables and mixed trash (including construction and demolition debris and yard waste) are collected at three County transfer stations. Recyclables are then trucked to a Materials Recovery Facility in Homestead where they are sorted, processed and ultimately sent to manufacturing firms. A small volume of yard/landscape waste is processed into mulch for use by residents within Monroe County. Excluding recyclables and mulch, all remaining Monroe County solid waste is ultimately transported to a waste to energy plant in Pompano, Florida- almost 300 miles from the southemmost most areas of Monroe County. In response to pending landfill and incinerator closures, Monroe County officially started its Recycling Program in 1988. A Recycling Coordinator was hired to provide educational programs and public information within the areas served. Public response was initially enthusiastic and a recycling rate of 35% was achieved by 2000. Unfortunately, funding for the Coordinator position ended in 2002. Since that time, the recycling effort has experienced a considerable decline- falling to a low of 6% by 2006. The most recent data reported by DEP in 2007 indicates a slight increase in recycling, but Monroe still ranked 59 among the State's 67 counties. The lack of ongoing education efforts, a transient population, business closures and re-openings, and the slow economic climate of recent years all contributed to this significant decline. The volume of solid waste transported out of the County also increased when the weekly collection and local distribution of household yard waste formerly processed into mulch was terminated in 2005. The separate yard waste-to-mulch collection was discontinued due to citrus canker, introduction of invasive/exotic seeds, decreased demand for mulch, quality and storage issues, and concems about illegal use as "fill." As a result of decreased recycling and yard waste diversion, the volume of Monroe County solid waste transported to the waste to energy facility in Pompano has significantly increased in recent years. Proposed Services and Service Providers To improve planning and management of solid waste and reduce pollution of water resources, Monroe County Florida is requesting funding from the USDA Rural Development Program to: 1) Improve landfill monitoring, household hazardous waste disposal and County public park area waste management efforts- a)Provide technical assistance related to monitoring of groundwater at closed landfills in Monroe County, suggest additional remediation measures and provide technical training for a USDA funded intern: Funding for technical assistance provided by a contracted environmental consulting firm will enhance landfill monitoring to ensure that permanently closed Monroe County landfills are not contributing to pollution of groundwater and the marine environments directly linked by the porous nature of Florida Keys substrate. The sensitive nature of Florida Keys' marine resources requires the highest degree of attention to all potential water quality impacts. The consulting firm will also be directed to suggest additional measures that will promote environmental remediation and/or habitat development at landfill sites. A USDA grant-funded intern will assist with the landfill monitoring project in order to foster training of technical staff in this important area of expertise. The intemship will be offered to a Monroe County resident enrolled (or recently graduated) in an environmental program at any Florida college or university. The intern will be supervised by Monroe County Solid Waste Division staff, and will also participate in other aspects of this grant b)Provide technical assistance/training to Monroe County staff responsible for Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collections and provide special collection events to better educate and serve residents: Monroe County Solid Waste Division staff will receive technical training related to household hazardous waste collections and assist with annual week- end HHW collection events at three sites. County Solid Waste Division and EScrap (electronics recycling) staff will provide HHW education and recycling/reuse/disposal service for Monroe County residents at these events. These "pre-hurricane- season" events will reduce HHW that could potentially enter the environment during tropical weather events. Paints collected and combined the previous year will be distributed for reuse free of charge. c)Establish a one year pilot project to provide special containers for the collection of separated recyclables at all Monroe County Park/recreation areas: Special educational signage will be posted in an effort to reduce litter and promote recycling in sensitive marine areas. Collection records will monitor the impact of special recycling bins at these specially designated collection sites. Provision of collection bins, signage, and collection costs will be funded by the County or local sponsors. Publicity, preparation of signage, design of collection receptacles, and monitoring of data will be managed by the Monroe County Recycling Coordinator and the USDA grant funded intern. 2) Provide a community education program that includes outreach to area schools and businesses a) A comprehensive solid waste/ 4R (reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost) school education program will be developed by the Monroe County Recycling Coordinator. Services will be available, upon request, to all Monroe District schools. Classroom presentations will be linked with Sunshine State Standards to encourage teacher participation. Links to additional solid waste education materials that can be presented by school staff will also be provided. To foster participation in school and community recycling, development of "Recycling Ranger" programs at elementary schools and "Keys Keepers" environmental clubs at area high schools will be encouraged. Parent and community-participation will be an important aspect of these efforts along with a special rewards program to be established in cooperation with area businesses. A Recycling Mascot will be available for presentations to preschool-K5 students and for special events. Upon request from schools, special school recycling events will be sponsored with assistance from the County Recycling Coordinator. Services will also be available for students enrolled at Florida Keys Community College. b)Provide technical assitance/training for County businesses, especially firms that are not actively recycling at present: Commercial recycling is the weakest component of Monroe County's recycling efforts. Florida Department of Environmental Protections statistics indicate that 84% of Monroe County single family residents engaged in curbside recycling, but only 6% of area businesses participated. Commercial waste generation, estimated at 4.7 pounds per capita, far exceeds residential estimates. This makes business solid waste education a high priority. Training and technical assistance for businesses will include all of the 4R components listed above. Services will be provided by the Monroe County Recycling Coordinator at business sites, special events and business meetings. Surveys conducted by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council indicate an increasing number of tourists (over 50% among some age groups) are seeking "green businesses" with (user-friendly) recycling topping their list of essential elements for vacation destinations. To promote "green tourism" and recognize exceptional efforts, Monroe County will award certificates and provide public recognition to qualified area businesses. A bi-lingual recycling publication to educate staff in the hospitality sector (e.g. lodging and restaurants) will be prepared and distributed. Special events that promote "Green Businesses" and "Green Living" will also be co-sponsored by Monroe County with the participation of local organizations and agencies. Training staff will also target marinas, water sports and waterfront businesses due the impacts of improper waste disposal in marine environments. The Monroe County Recycling Coordinator and USDA grant-funded intem will assist with public events that promote solid waste reduction, recycling, reuse, and composting by area businesses, residents, and visitors. 3) Develop a pilot composting program for residents, schools, and community gardens a) Technical assistance/training and affordable residential com posters will be made available for residents who would like to participate in a pilot residential food and yard waste composting program: Manufactured residential composters will be supplied by the County at cost to 200 residents who complete the training program. The Monroe County Extension Agent, Master Gardeners, and County Recycling Coordinator will provide the required training for residents who decide to purchase composters through the County. Participating residents must agree to use the com posters for a minimum of one year and complete an annual survey to assess the effectiveness of the project and guide future residential composting projects. (Returned composters will receive a partial refund and be redistributed.) b) Technical assistance/training will be provided for three District schools to initiate and operate a pilot cafeteria/ landscape waste composting project for a minimum of one year: The County Extension Agent, Master Gardeners, County Recycling Coordinator, and Botanical Garden Society educators will train students, school staff and volunteers and help with management and monitoring of the project. The County will supply manufactured residential composters at cost if requested by the pilot projects. Schools will be assisted with fundraising efforts for any materials required if they choose to construct their own com posters. c) Technical assistanceltraining program will be provided for three Community Gardens in Monroe County to initiate and operate a pilot composting project for a minimum of one year: The County Extension Agent, Master Gardeners, County Recycling Coordinator, GLEE volunteers, and Botanical Garden volunteers/educators will work with residents utilizing the community gardens to help manage and monitor the composting component of the project. If requested, the County can provide manufactured residential com posters at cost. Community Garden projects will be assisted with fundraising efforts for any materials required if they choose to construct their own composters. 4.) Present a multi-media infonnation campaign (bi-lingual and usable by persons with disabilities) that includes radio, television, publications, and internet resources to promote solid waste reuse, reduction, recycling and composting, and conduct a survey of local agencies, organizations, residents and tourists to guide the development of a Monroe County Solid Waste Master Plan. a) Bilingual public service announcements for radio/ television stations and local newspapers will educate the public about Monroe County recycling programs, waste reduction efforts, and special collections: This initiative aims to reach segments of the community not currently served by other educational efforts. The Recycling Coordinator and Solid Waste Division Senior Administrator will collaborate on this initiative. b) A bi-monthly County Recycling newsletter focusing on the 4Rs will be available on the Monroe County Recycling website and a limited paper edition for libraries and appropriate public distribution sites: The newsletter will report on all of the above initiatives, promote special events related to solid waste, 4Rs and related environmental education, provide recycling and "green" infonnation net links, and serve as a forum for community input. Newsletter publication will be a primary responsibility of the Monroe County Recycling Coordinator. c) Monroe County staff will conduct a comprehensive survey of Monroe County residents, businesses and visitors to be used in the development of a Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP): This Plan would be used to guide future Monroe County solid waste management programs and contracts. Landfill groundwater monitoring results and recommendations funded by this grant will also help guide the development of the SWMP. The survey will also guide efforts to meet County and State solid waste recycling, reuse, and reduction goals. The USDA grant funded intern will assist with the survey and other SWMP assignments. This survey will be the first phase in the development of the SWMP. Monroe County will make all reasonable effort to ensure that language and special ability needs of residents and visitors are met in all of the above programs. Benefits of Technical Assistance / TraininQ Funds ReQuested from USDA Monroe County believes that a proactive education and technical assistance program for residents, businesses and visitors will foster recycling, reuse, reduction, and composting of solid waste. We believe it will decrease reliance on distant solid waste facilities, help preserve natural resources, and reduce improper waste disposal. The Florida Keys are a national treasure. To keep residential and business districts, the waters and islands of our Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, our National Wildlife Refuges, Florida State and National Parks clean and "green" for future generations, we need effective and comprehensive management of our solid waste stream. Some of the proposed projects will guide future waste management strategies for Monroe County; all of the proposed programs detailed in this grant application will help to assure that Monroe County will be able to achieve our stated goals and objectives.