Discussion at Tuesday’s city council workshop debated the possibility of where the future city’s solid waste transfer station should be built. It’s been planned for the city’s landfill to close in the year 2017, and a transfer station to take its place, to transfer Green River’s waste to Rock Springs’ landfill. The location of the future transfer station has been planned to be located where the current scale house for the landfill is now, on the corner of Upland Way and the gateway to highway 530 to South Hill. Recent debate has spurred possible planning for construction of the transfer station location to be moved to the area of East Teton, between the waste water treatment plant and the horse corrals.
A big advantage to the alternate location of the transfer station is, it would cost the city $200,000 less to develop, rather than the planned location on Upland Way. But, the new location’s timeline for development would be much longer than the one already planned for; six months to a year longer. Before the city could begin construction at the proposed location on East Teton, the city would need to repermit for the use of that area of land, which could take six months to a year alone.
Time would also need allotted for planning and designing of the grounds.
The new location would allow for more room and possible further expansion of the site, whereas the current location would not.
The current planned location has 1.3 acres to develop, whereas the alternate location would have more than four acres.
“There’s a lot more flexibility onsite. Just more room alone,” city engineer Mark Westenskow said. “The alternate site has sewer as well.”
The current location has water and power, but no sewer. The alternate would have water, power and sewer all nearby.
“I’m in favor of it down there,” Councilman Mark Peterson said.
A concern raised by some city council members was the odor and unsightliness of the transfer station impeding on residents using the green belt for recreation nearby.
Westenskow reminded council members the transfer station would be inside of an enclosed building. As for unsightliness, planning for buffer between the building and the green belt is also planned for.
“It would include a fence and buffer along the edge, with landscaping,” Westenskow said.
More council members came on board with the alternate site after reassurances. Landfill staff member Louise Laughlin spoke in opposition to the alternate site.
“We already have a pit, why start from scratch again,” she said. “I’d like to see it where it is now. There’s ways of beautifying it.”
Mayor Pete Rust concluded the discussion by prompting the public to make a response.
“This is an opportunity for the public to weigh in on this,” Rust said. “Let’s hear from the public and move on.”
Rust encourages residents of Green River to contact any of the city council members with concerns and questions concerning the new transfer station location.
The city council will discuss and vote on the topic at the next city council meeting.
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