Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)

The Douglas County Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC), mandated under RCW 70.95.165, is an on-going committee. Initially established to help prepare a solid waste management plan, the law defines duties that are much broader, "to assist in the development of programs and policies concerning solid waste handling and disposal and to review and comment upon proposed rules, policies or ordinances prior to their adoption". Each SWAC must have a minimum of nine members, representing a balance of interests including, but not limited to, citizens, public interest groups, business, the waste management industry, and local elected public officials. The SWAC is an advisory committee only. It makes recommendations to the participating jurisdictions, which will then make final decisions after considering those recommendations and other available information.

The SWAC is the focal point of the public involvement effort used in the development of the DCCSWMP. The SWAC membership, as shown in Table 2-1, includes representatives from the participating jurisdictions, agriculture, business and industry, organic, public health and safety, and waste reduction and recycling. The primary responsibilities of the SWAC with regard to the DCCSWMP are to provide technical advice on the DCCSWMP development and to assist in the DCCSWMP adoption process. The SWAC will be participating in DCCSWMP preparation by:

• defining goals of the SWMP,
• reviewing draft chapters,
• providing input and comment on all issues covered by the DCCSWMP,
• acting as a liaison to their constituencies,
• assisting in the public involvement process,
• participating in public meetings,
• facilitating the public review process,
• reviewing the preliminary draft, draft and final draft of the DCCSWMP,
• recommending the DCCSWMP for adoption by the participating jurisdictions.

Douglas County's Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Many issues which come before the SWAC will require recommendations beyond the expertise of the standing SWAC members. Therefore, the SWAC has created Technical Advisory Committees (TAC) to review and research specific issues that come before them. Specific TACs have been established for agriculture, business and industry, organics, public health and safety and waste reduction and recycling. Each TAC is represented by an appointed technical representative on the SWAC and is an integral part of the SWAC structure. Each TAC shall consist of a minimum of two members, one being the specific technical representative appointed, who serves as the TAC Chair, and at least one other person with specific expertise related to the issue. TACs shall carry out the review of an assigned issue and shall also initiate research, scoping, consultation, compliance and regulatory review when necessary. A sixth TAC, the Executive TAC, provides recommendations and guidance with regard to budgetary matters, planning direction and policy making. This TAC is composed of; a Douglas County Commissioner and Mayors from each of the participating jurisdictions.

TACs are to review and research the solid and hazardous waste issues referred to them by the SWAC. The TACs are to look at the issue solely on its technical merit and feasibility, and to gather all support information necessary to make a recommendation to the SWAC. It is not the responsibility of the TAC to look at the issue in terms of its political support, public acceptance or for the purpose of reflecting their own personal opinion. The purpose of TACs are to review and research the issue to determine the who, what, where, when, how and why, so that the SWAC can be informed and a factual recommendation can be made to the participating jurisdictions. TAC findings and/or recommendations shall be reported to the total SWAC. It will be the responsibility of SWAC to accept, modify or reject the findings and/or recommendations of the TACs. The following TAC membership, as shown in Table 2-2, were formed to assist with the development of the DCCSWMP.

Douglas County SWAC Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

For more information regarding the SWAC meeting schedule and summary, click on the links below:

SWAC Meeting Schedule for 2010

SWAC Meeting Summary for November 5, 2009