What is
the Sunol Compost Facility?
In a nutshell: 600 tons per day, 24 hours
per day, 7 days per week.
Where
is it?
The proposed location is at Andrade Road,
adjacent to the quarry and nursery, less than 2 miles from Sunol School.
Hundreds of Sunol residents live within a 3-mile radius of the proposed
location.
What does
it do?
The proposed facility would process and
sell compost from throughout Alameda County. The facility will be
composting the following items:
-
Green waste and yard trimmings
-
Food waste (120 tons per day)
-
Contaminated paper
-
Untreated scrap wood
-
Natural fiber products
-
Non-recyclable paper waste
-
Sediment
-
Gypsum
-
Clean construction/demolition debris
The proposed facility will use windrows
(piles) 20 feet wide, 12 feet high and 250 feet long - turned every
three days.
What
are the major issues and concerns?
Read our very
complete list of
questions and comments on the DEIR. Below is a summary of key issues
-
Pollution - compost facilities
generate almost as much pollution as oil refineries (volatile
organic compounds and ammonia). The Sunol Valley is a small valley
ringed by hills that frequently has an inversion layer that will
concentrate pollution in the valley. Summertime afternoon winds will
move teh smog toward Sunol and Pleasanton.
-
Smell - this is a significant
unmitigatable impact.
-
Noise - When it's calm, noise
from Sunol is clearly heard on Sheridan Road, so noise from this
facility will be clearly heard throughout the Sunol Valley,
including grinding equipment, and machinery used to turn compost
rows.
-
Traffic - We anticipate up to
65 large trucks per day, as well as a large quantity of pickup loads
(by homeowners, landscape gardeners, etc.), and cars for 40
employees.
-
Litter - There will be a large
amount produced by trucks hauling composting materials, as well as
from the site itself, and dumping on adjacent roads.
-
Well water contamination
-
Pollution of Alameda Creek
-
Reduction of water flowing down
Alameda Creek
-
Dust from traffic and the site
(windrows turned every 3 days)
-
Mud from traffic during the winter
-
Light pollution
-
Flies, insects, rodents
-
Wildlife impacts
-
Visual impacts
-
Wind profiles used in the Draft EIR
are for the Hayward Airport -- not the Sunol Valley!
-
Sudden oak death
-
Property values
How can I help?
There are a number of ways: attend our
regular group meetings, write a letter, or
sign our
petition. If you are interested in contacting our organizing
committee regarding other ways to help, please use our
contact form.
When are your meetings?
We meet weekly on Tuesday evenings at 6:30, at the Sunol Glen School
(11601 Main St., Sunol). View map
Can I sign the petition
on-line?
Yes! Just complete
our simple on-line form and your name will be added to the list. If
you are interested in circulating petitions to your friends and
neighbors, just let us know.
What is the deadline to
respond to the Draft Environmental Impact Report?
There is a specified timeframe in which
residents may respond to the DEIR. We have only until January 30, 2005
to voice our concerns regarding this proposed project!
I want to complain! Who
should I be sending my opinions to?
Any of the following would be excellent
targets for your opinions: local newspapers, local political
representatives, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority.
Learn more about sending letters (including
samples and addresses).
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