Additional Comments Summary Response to Additional Comments

RESPONSE SUMMARY
REVISED DRAFT ORDER OF APPROVAL NO. 10052
Comment Period – September 13 – October 28, 2010
Commenter
Comment Synopsis
how disappointed I am in the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA)
in not sufficiently protecting the air quality of my neighborhood. The
stench coming from Cedar Grove Composting is terrible and
ongoing. Sometimes it is so bad that we can’t stand to be outside and
have to stay indoors with all the doors and windows closed tightly. The
best way that I can describe the smell is “warm vomit”. Yes, it is that
gross! When the smell occurs, it often lasts for the entire day and
sometimes for several days on end. The regularity and intensity of the
smell has grown each year that we’ve lived in this neighborhood (since
Winter 2006). Clearly, whatever measures have been taken during this
time by PSCAA to enforce regulations or by Cedar Grove Composting
to comply with regulations has been grossly insufficient.
I only recently learned of the PSCAA and how to submit a complaint
and wish to reflect that while there is not a specific record over the past
years from me for my property, this does not mean that there were not
incidents of violation of air quality standards. Instead it is
representative of the difficulty in obtaining information about the
correct agencies and parties to complain to about this specific issue.
I respectfully, but resolutely request the Agency to take all necessary
actions to cause the Cedar Grove Composting Company to cease
emitting odors, utilizing the statutory power granted them by
Washington State law. Up to and including obtaining an injunction for
them to cease all operations until the problem has been permanently and
absolutely solved. I make this request to defend the health of our
families, to safeguard the value of our homes and to protect our right to
the use and enjoyment of our property.
Further, the track record PS Clean Air in regards to this facility and
enforcement of clean air standards is disappointing. What good is
having penalties for violation of clean air standards when all you do is
suspend the majority of the penalty? I appreciate the balance required
to allow compliance with regulations, but suspending penalties does not
make them much of a deterrent. While there is a long list of measures
identified by PSCAA for Cedar Grove Composting to take to address
the problems, those are clearly insufficient. The Agency’s actions todate
have been insufficient in protecting the air quality of my
neighborhood. It would seem as though the only viable course of action
at this point is to require that Cedar Grove Composting cease the receipt
of new materials, clean up existing materials, and shut down the facility.