Nov. 14, 2024
The Seneca County Commissioners have determined that Seneca County’s residents would be better served if the commissioners withdraw from the Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Joint Solid Waste Management District (“OSS”) and form a new solid waste management district for Seneca County alone. The purpose of a solid waste management district is to provide for the safe management, recycling, and disposal of solid wastes by utilizing funds paid by solid waste disposal facilities.
OSS is governed by the commissioners of Ottawa County, Sandusky County, and Seneca County. WIN Waste’s landfill and other solid waste facilities pay solid waste disposal fees to OSS, which OSS uses throughout those three counties. The Seneca County Commissioners believe that the solid waste disposal fees generated in Seneca County should be used to address solid waste issues in Seneca County, including problems caused by the presence and operation of WIN Waste’s landfill. Forming its own solid waste management district would accomplish that purpose.
Under Ohio law, the process for withdrawing from OSS must start with the Commissioners’ passage of a resolution requesting OSS’ approval for the withdrawal. The boards of commissioners for Ottawa County and Sandusky County have 60 days to pass a resolution approving or disapproving the withdrawal. If the board of commissioners for either Ottawa County or Sandusky County disapproves the withdrawal, then the withdrawal is not allowed.
If the other counties’ commissioners approve the withdrawal, the Seneca County Commissioners must submit a request for approval of their withdrawal to Ohio EPA with a demonstration that Seneca County has access to enough landfill disposal capacity inside or outside of the county to handle all of the solid waste generated in the county. The counties remaining in OSS must make the same demonstration. Once Ohio EPA has approved the withdrawal, the Seneca County Commissioners will develop a new solid waste management plan to regulate solid wastes in the county.