Quincy residents voice concerns about waste idea

QUINCY — Port of Quincy commissioners listened to two residents’ concerns with an idea to ship solid waste by rail to Quincy and truck it to an East Wenatchee landfill.

The residents showed up Wednesday after the port began talks with a company called Waste Management, which showed interest in becoming a port tenant.

Port Commissioner Curt Morris said the commission wants to hear residents concerns.

Nothing has been done formally with Waste Management, other than they’ve approached the port with an idea and they’re investigating it, Morris said.

The port recently offered Helsley Estates $3.5 million on about 100 acres of land.

Waste Management is interested in locating on the property as a tenant if the land becomes available.

The land is located north of the railroad tracks and west of the port’s Industrial Park 2.

A hosting agreement from Douglas County triggers what kind of waste can come in, but it appears it can originate from “basically anywhere,” Morris explained.

The port hasn’t seen the hosting agreement between Waste Management and Douglas County, he said.

Warren Morgan, of Quincy, told commissioners his concerns involve the potential for phytosanitary issues related to garbage coming from British Columbia and Whatcom County.

Morgan cited the work of state Department of Agriculture exotic pests specialist Eric LaGasa.

“There’s voluminous research on what’s out there and what there is to be concerned about,” Morgan said.

Some of the pests affect orchards and some affect grow crops as well.

The problem is, pests aren’t found until they reach critical mass and a field has been devastated, Morgan pointed out.

He also said fruits and vegetables coming across from British Columbia require inspections, but it’s not the same for garbage.

Mike Hamilton, of Double M Orchards and M 3 Storage in Quincy, said sealed waste is brought from Western Washington to East Wenatchee under the premise it’s buried immediately.

He spoke of a concern about apple maggot as Grant and Chelan counties are free of the pest.

If apple maggot comes to the area, there are countries one cannot ship to, he said.

“I don’t care how careful you are, if you transfer garbage, you’re probably going to spill some,” Hamilton added.

No decisions were made by the Port.