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Carbondale sends formal opposition to trash transfer station

John Colson
Post Independent Staff
Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO

CARBONDALE, Colorado – The town’s Board of Trustees is now on record as opposing a planned recycling processing facility and solid waste transfer station a couple of miles east of town.

Acting on a decision by the trustees on Aug. 28, an Aug. 31 letter from Mayor Stacey Bernot asked that the Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) deny the application for the facility, submitted in August by IRMW II LLC.

The letter outlines several reasons for the opposition, including the argument that “County Road 100 plays an important role in the town’s economy due to the Rio Grande Trail, Rodeo Grounds and Ice Skating Rink.”



The three recreational amenities all are located along 100 Road, which stretches eastward from Carbondale to a junction with Highway 82 at Catherine Store.

“There has been a significant amount of public money placed into developing and improving these amenities, including funds recently received from Garfield County to be used on the Rodeo Arena,” the letter states.



“The proposed operations may negatively impact the area for those using these public facilities, as well as those residing in the area,” Bernot’s letter continues.

The letter goes on to list causes of concern, including visual impacts in an increasingly residential area, as well as the plans for using Snowmass Drive as a haul route “as the CR 100 bridge is inadequate to handle the semi-trucks.

“The character of Snowmass Drive has changed since its historic use as a coal truck road” by Mid-Continent Resources, until the early 1990s, according to the letter. “An elementary school, middle school and large church/community gathering place are now located along this stretch.”

In addition, the trustees expressed concern that heavy truck traffic will tear up recent improvements to the intersection of Snowmass Drive, Main Street and 100 Road, paid for with state and local funds.

“If Garfield County would like to cultivate the industrial site,” the letter contends, “the county should consider their options for improving the infrastructure necessary to serve it.”

The letter asks for other conditions, should the proposal win the county’s approval, including restrictions on “loud operations” at night, a requirement that all trash hauling trucks be covered, and that a drainage system be designed and installed to contain any spills from the operation.

jcolson@postindependent.com


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