01-03-1985 Council Packet Special Meeting

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Solid waste facilities in the Metropolitan Area are governed by an elaborate permitting process. They must receive state permits tho* are reviewed and approved by both the MPCA and the Council. In addition, counties are authorized to require permits or licenses for these facilities, and county and municipal zoning requirements may govern and control certain aspects of facility operation and location. Solid waste facility decisions made by a county, the Council and the MPCA are governed by and must be consistent with Council and county solid waste plans and with MPCA regulations. The 1976 Metropolitan Land Planning Act (Minn. Stat., sec. 473.851 and subse- quent sections) requires that solid waste plans be included in county compre- hensive plans submitted to the Council for review. The law provides for intercounty and regional coordination of these plans by requiring compliance with the Council's regional solid waste plan, and by giving the Counc41 authority to review county plans and comment on their compatibility with plans of other jurisdictions. Moreover, the Council is authorized to review all comprehensive plans, including county solid waste plans, to ensure consistency with Council plans for parks, sewers, transportation ani airport systems. County master plans prepared in accordance with the Waste Management Act can fulfill solid waste planning requirements for counties ,nder the Land Planning Act. IMPLEMENTATION AND USE OF THE GUIDE Metropolitan Council The Council will use several means to implement this guide. These include reviewing county and local solid waste plans and reports, reviewing various waste facility projects and proposals, conducting monitoring and oversight activities and by providing technical and financial assistance. The Cou.xil will also use the guide chapter to advise the MPCA, Waste Management Board and Legislative Commission on Waste Management on issues affecting solid waste management in the region and state. In implementing this guide, the Council will give consideration to the follow- ing: orderly and economic development of the region; preservation and the best and most economical use of land and water; protection and enhancement of environmental quality; conservation and reuse of resources and energy; preser- vation and promotior of conditions that stimulate efficient, low-cost, competi- tive and adaptable systems of solid waste management; and orderly resolution of questions concerning changes in systems of solid waste management. Metropolitan Waste Management Advisory Committee A 30-member Metropolitan Waste Management Advisory Committee assists the Coun- cil in preparing and implementing this guide chapter, and advises the Council on issues affecting solid waste management in the region. Committee membership consists of one-third citizen representatives, one-third representatives from metropolitan counties and municipalities and one-third representatives from private waste management firms. An additional representative from the MPCA, one from the Waste Management Board and one from the Minnesota Department of Health serve as ex-officio members. Temporary members were added to the committee representing cities and towns with eligible land disposal facility sites in the Council's metropolitan inventory for the purpose of assisting in the preparation of the guide and a report to the state legislature on methods of mitigating and compensating for the local risks, cost and other adverse effects of land disposal facilities.