OEA’s plan to update solid waste management seeks comments by Oct. 27PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENTTO APPROVE ROCK COUNTY’S SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATERock County has prepared a solid waste management plan update (update) to its Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (1992) proposing a waste management system that would result, by the year 2012, in a reduction of municipal solid waste (MSW) being land disposed of by approximately 44 percent through source reduction, recycling and yard waste composting. Of the remaining MSW, 48 percent would be disposed of in a sanitary landfill, 2 percent as problem materials not recycled, and 6 percent of the waste stream will continue to be disposed on private property. Pursuant to Minn. Rules pt. 9215.0850, the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) hereby gives notice of its intent to approve the County’s update. Additional information on the county’s update may be obtained from the County or the OEA at the following addresses:Mr. Eric Hartman Mr. Rick DillonSolid Waste Administrator Minnesota Office of Environmental AssistanceRock County Land Management Office 520 Lafayette Road North 2nd Floor311 West Gabrielson Road, Ste 5 St. Paul, MN 55155-4100Luverne, MN 56156 Phone: (605) 362-8334Phone: (507) 283-8862 Toll-free: (800) 657-3843Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the OEA’s proposed actions. Comments must be received by the OEA at its above address by 4:30 p.m. on October 27, 2003. Pursuant to Minn. Rules pt. 9215.0850, subp. 3, comments must include the following information: (1) a statement of the commenter’s interest in the update; (2) a statement of the action the commenter wishes the OEA to take, including specific references to the parts of the update or the need calculation that the commenter believes should be changed; and (3) the reasons supporting the commenter’s position, stated with sufficient specificity to allow the OEA to assess the merits of the commenter’s statements. During the comment period, interested persons may request that the OEA conduct a public informational meeting or a contested case hearing. A public informational meeting is an informal meeting conducted by OEA staff to help clarify and resolve issues. A contested case hearing is a trial-like proceeding conducted by a state administrative law judge. Requests for a public informational meeting or a contested case hearing must be made in writing. Requests for a public informational meeting or contested case hearing must: (1) include the three pieces of information described in the preceding paragraph; (2) explain why the OES should hold a meeting or hearing and (3) describe the issues the commenter wants addressed at the meeting or hearing. At the close of the comment period, the OEA will determine if a public meeting or hearing would be beneficial. The OEA will consider all comments received within the comment period. Following the close of the comment period and any public informational meetings or contested case hearings, the OEA will make a final determination on whether or not to approve the update.(9-25)
