Chapter 3.30
COMPOST PROCUREMENT
Sections:
3.30.010 Definition.
A “finished compost product” means a product created with “composted material” as defined in RCW 70A.205.015(3). Finished compost products include, but are not limited to, 100 percent finished compost or blends that include compost as a primary ingredient. Mulch is considered a finished compost product if it contains a minimum of 60 percent composted material. Bark is not a finished compost product. (Ord. 2022-11 § 1, 2022).
3.30.020 General policy.
Okanogan County shall purchase finished compost products for use in public projects in which compost is an appropriate material in county projects or on county land, provided it is not cost prohibitive to acquire. “Cost prohibitive” is defined as a product purchasing cost that exceeds the cost of another product that would serve the same purpose. Procurement costs will include the product cost and all associated transportation and delivery charges. Okanogan County is not required to use compost products if:
A. Compost products are not available within a reasonable period of time;
B. Compost products that are available do not comply with existing purchasing standards; and
C. Available compost products do not comply with federal or state health, quality, or safety standards.
Pursuant to RCW 43.19A.130, Okanogan County will strive to purchase an amount of finished compost products equal to or greater than 50 percent of the amount of organic materials delivered to the compost processor outside of any apple maggot quarantine areas within Okanogan County or neighboring counties. This effort to purchase 50 percent may be limited to compost produced from residential and small businesses within the unincorporated areas of Okanogan County. Excess quantities produced from within incorporated areas or from industrial operations may overburden the county’s ability and shall not obligate the county to purchase. Okanogan County will not use or transport compost sourced or produced within an apple maggot quarantine area outside of the quarantine area. (Ord. 2022-11 § 2, 2022).
3.30.030 Local purchasing.
Okanogan County will purchase finished compost products from companies producing compost locally that are certified by a nationally recognized organization, such as the US Composting Council, and produce finished compost products derived from municipal solid waste compost programs while meeting quality standards adopted by the Department of Transportation or adopted by rule by the Department of Ecology. Okanogan County defines “local” as compost providers located within Okanogan County and within 30 road miles of the project site. (Ord. 2022-11 § 3, 2022).
3.30.040 Planning.
In order to meet the general policy, Okanogan County will evaluate compost use in the following categories: (A) landscaping projects; (B) construction and post-construction soil amendments; (C) applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetative growth, or improve the stability and longevity of roadways; and (D) low-impact development of green infrastructure to filter pollutants or to keep water on site, or both. This policy will be reassessed every five years when the county updates its solid waste management plan, beginning in 2023 and thereafter as part of the reporting obligations in OCC 3.30.060. (Ord. 2022-11 § 4, 2022).
3.30.050 Education.
Okanogan County shall conduct educational outreach to inform residents about the value of compost and how the jurisdiction uses compost in its operations each year. (Ord. 2022-11 § 5, 2022).
3.30.060 Reporting.
By December 31, 2024, and each December 31st of even-numbered years thereafter, Okanogan County shall report the following information to the Department of Ecology: (A) total tons of organic material diverted from landfills each year; and (B) the volume and cost of composted material purchased each year. For compost use tracking and reporting, only the volume of composted material is reported, based on the percentage of compost material in a finished compost product. For example, a typical bioretention soil blend is 40 percent compost and 60 percent sand. If a jurisdiction bought 10 cubic yards of bioretention soil, they would report four cubic yards of composted material usage. The source(s) of the finished compost product purchased will be collected and reported. (Ord. 2022-11 § 6, 2022).