RESPONSE SUMMARY - Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Debra Hawkins
(Written, June 4)
RESPONSE SUMMARY
ORIGINAL DRAFT ORDER OF APPROVAL NO. 10052
Comment Period – April 29 - June 15, 2010
I live off Cedar Grove Road and on many occasion smell the horrible
odor of Cedar Grove Compost. There have been days that the odor is so
bad that I have to close any windows that are open and spend the day in
the house. When I go to my daughters school I realize that we don’t
have it that bad…..the smell at Maple Hills Elementary is horrible. My
daughter has complained on many occasion that the smell was so bad
that she didn’t want to go out for recess. Kids need time outside to
blow off steam and I think it is terrible that she doesn’t feel comfortable
to do that on some days. I am concerned about the permit: Please hold
Cedar Grove Compost more accountable for the odors that leave their
facility. The range of the smell that leaves their facility is huge and I
don’t see the problem lessening.
David Bluhm
(Written, June 8)
We moved into the above address in July of 2005 and were told, with
documented support, that a prior settlement had been reached between
the local residents and the Cedar Grove Composting site over poor air
quality. And more importantly, that the issues directly related to the air
quality had been addressed through improved process management at
the composting site.
While we are not able to compare our air quality to that which was prior
to the settlement, we receive a constant and predictable odor from the
site. We have reported these odors consistently over the last 5 years
through both phone and written communications to the PSCAA. Any
warm day, even without any significant wind, brings a strong, pungent
odor from the site.
We have no issue with the current land use. We even welcome the
presence of a composting site in our area but the odors can and should
be addressed as previously determined by the PSCAA and defined by
the settlement agreement. The overall community’s air quality, the
liability of Cedar Grove Composting as well as the liability of the
PSCAA are all in question in this matter.
What must be fixed?
1. The odors must be abated and the overall air quality improved
2. Responsibility for non-action or ongoing failure must be
assigned.
3. Penalties must be established.
At this point, we hold the agency, as much as Cedar Grove Composting
as responsible.
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