Dear Friends,

This week we received another update from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department on the landfill, including updates on the efforts to address the odor.

Here is the latest:

LRI has completed the projects listed in previous updates. They will continue landfill gas control projects throughout the life of the landfill.

LRI completed the following projects:

Installed and connected all 18 vertical wells to the Gas Collection and Control System.
Covered 4 acres of soil cover with plastic.
Applied soil cover to recent fill areas on the west and south slopes.
Completed quarterly surface emissions monitoring to meet state and federal regulations.

They continue to:

Monitor and adjust wells on the system for peak performance.
- Contracted engineers are identifying wells on the landfill that need work.
Perform daily odor patrols, conduct tours and respond to calls from neighbors.
- You can email LRI Landfill for tour information or to report odors at [email protected].
Look into having an independent third party perform odor surveys.
Review the technology currently available for odor monitoring.

They plan to:

Cover 3.5 acres of open soil areas with plastic tarps, starting March 21.
- Covering areas with soil and plastic helps reduce offsite odors.
Install an odor-reducing biofilter in areas where odors escape the gas system.
- LRI uses this technology at composting facilities.
Add a horizontal gas collection pipe on newly filled areas to control odors coming from the edge of the landfill.
Drill and connect 15 more wells in June 2022.

Pierce County Flood Control Zone grants available

To increase safety while stimulating the economy, the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District opened its grant application process to award $3.5 million for projects that reduce the impact of flooding and improve watersheds in the community.

This comes on the heels of a successful pilot program that funded $2.5 million in shovel-ready projects in 2021. The district expects to allocate funding in 2023 to cover construction projects and studies/plans. Projects must be completed by Dec. 31, 2023, and studies/plans must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024.

To qualify for funding, projects must provide a flood reduction and watershed management benefit. Potential eligible projects may include the following:

Flood Control or stormwater control improvements
Community Flood Resiliency projects (e.g. installation of evacuation signage)
Habitat protection and management
Culvert improvements
Watershed management projects
Structure demolition that supports a larger flood risk reduction project
Purchase of equipment for flood risk reduction

Native tribes and non-profit organizations are eligible and encouraged to apply, as well as cities/municipalities including park’s agencies in Pierce County. Pre-applications are due March 31, 2022 to be screened for eligibility. Successful applicants will then need to submit a full application by July 31, 2022.

Find more information online, including the application and a list of projects funded in the 2020-2021 cycle.

Questions? Contact Brynne Walker, Floodplain Management Planner, Pierce County Planning & Public Work (253)798-4671, [email protected].

Grateful for you,