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short or mid-term solutions for waste disposal. The SWAB has examined alternative <br /> waste to energy technologies twice over the past two years. There is no change in the <br /> conclusions from the September 24, 2008 memo to the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> This was supposed to be included in the agenda packet. Waste to energy is appealing <br /> as a long-term solution, but it is not an immediate solution. <br /> • No matter what is done, the County will need a waste transfer station. It is unlikely that a <br /> landfill, waste to energy plan, or other disposal facility would be cited within a reasonably <br /> close proximity to the Orange County population centers that generate garbage. Building <br /> a transfer station sooner rather than later will save money in the long run and is also <br /> environmentally responsible within the restraints of the Countywide waste disposal needs <br /> and options. <br /> • Waste transfer stations are not the same as landfills and incinerators. The negative <br /> appeal is that it would handle garbage and it would involve trucks. <br /> • SWAB has, on several occasions, identified characteristics of an ideal site for a waste <br /> transfer station. And ideal waste transfer station site, in addition to being located in an <br /> environmentally and socially defensible area, would be located as close as possible to the <br /> waste generation centrum, would be located as close as possible to its infrastructure <br /> supports (i.e., utilities and transportation corridors), and have sufficient size to provide <br /> buffering as well as offering space for other solid waste activities as needed. <br /> • The County needs to get on with the process of obtaining a site and developing the <br /> necessary facilities. <br /> Jan Sassaman said that the SWAB is in agreement that the NC 54 sites may not be the <br /> best possible locations for a waste transfer station in terms of the operational and technical <br /> criteria, but these two sites are what remain at this time. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Laura Streitfield said that she was here from Preserve Rural Orange. She said that <br /> Preserve Rural Orange opposes a transfer station in Bingham Township, which would irrevocably <br /> transfer the rural and agricultural community into an industrial zone. They are requesting that <br /> complete and accurate information be provided to the public and elected officials prior to any <br /> decision to select a final site or acquire property for a transfer station. She said that significant <br /> questions remain about the NC 54 site. Costs to taxpayers, counties, and towns have not yet <br /> been fully disclosed to the public and environmental impacts remain to be specified. Also, driving <br /> routes and disposal locations are not yet known. She said that environmental regulations were <br /> put in place to protect citizens and land from irreparable damage. She urged the County <br /> Commissioners and the consultants to consider these regulations as they were intended and not <br /> as steps toward permitting or mitigation. Preserve Rural Orange feels that this site should be <br /> ruled out for consideration. She spoke about the past proposals of airports in this area and the <br /> environmental studies that were done for sewers, etc. She said that there may be a conflict of <br /> interest in having a consultant who stands to benefit from the design of a transfer station analyze <br /> the alternatives and costs of other waste disposal solutions. The final concern is the criteria and <br /> how they are applied to this site. She asked that the County Commissioners get all of the <br /> information before deciding. She said that a site like this did not belong in rural Orange County. <br />