Q: Can you explain the compost recycling process?
A: At the wastewater treatment facility, biosolids are processed and only those biosolids that meet strict quality standards for pollutants may be composted. The remainder of biosolids are either incinerated or sent to a landfill.
The biosolids that are delivered to the composting facility have been "dewatered" and, while moist, it is not raw sludge. A front loader mixes the biosolids with green waste to quicken the composting process. The mixture is turned regularly to expedite the composting process further and minimize the smell. After 60 days, the mixture has become compost and is trucked to farms and wineries throughout the Inland Empire to be used as fertilizer for their crops and vineyards.
Q: What are the benefits of compost recycling?
A: Compost recycling offers multiple benefits:
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It provides farmers a valuable resource.
Compost yields far better crops than chemical fertilizer and is less expensive. -
It is better for the environment.
Chemical fertilizer has the potential to damage the environment pollute groundwater and, therefore, is much riskier to use than compost. -
It saves scarce water.
When used for agriculture or gardening, the compost acts like a sponge, capturing the water and keeping it from filtering through the sandy soil, which means that farmers use less water for their crops. -
Recycling sustains the earth for a better tomorrow.
Whether it is aluminum cans, paper or biosolids, it makes more sense to reuse a valuable resource rather than have them take up scarce space in landfills.
Q: Are there other compost recycling centers in operation?
A: Yes, they exist in virtually every state in the nation. Some of the larger compost facilities exist in or around such cities as Los Angeles, Denver, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, New York, Washington D.C. and Austin, Texas.
Q: Where will the Nursery Products compost recycling site be located?
A: The site will be located eight miles west of Hinkley and 22 miles west of Barstow. The nearest point of reference is the former Hawes Auxiliary Airport. The site was selected because it is isolated from residents and businesses and is at a site that will have minimal environmental impacts.
Q: Will the water supply be safe?
A: Yes, the project will be constructed to ensure that no flood or storm water flows from the site. The site is located in a different groundwater sub-basin than either Hinkley or Barstow. Further, the groundwater flow from both Hinkley and the Hawes facility is towards Harper Lake, which is north of both.
Q: How will the storm water control berms be constructed?
A: A grading plan will be developed for the site which will be reviewed and approved of by the County Department of Public Works. The intention is to have a balanced cut and fill plan so that no soil is imported or exported from the site during construction activities.
The site is designed to the highest storm water design standards, which is the worst rain event that could occur in 100 years. Storm water will be retained on site and allowed to evaporate in retention ponds. Flood waters will be diverted around the facility.
Q: What will the smell be like at this site and will it reach my neighborhood?
A: The compost recycling site will have a musty odor that may smell of ammonia, which is one of the key nutrients in fertilizer. With proper operations the smell will be minimized. Nursery Products will not accept food waste, which has a far more pungent smell than compost recycling. The EIR found that there would be no adverse odor impacts from the composting facility.
The closest community to the site is Hinkley, which is eight miles away.
Q: Will there be flies in my neighborhood?
A: No, there will not be fly problems at the site. Nursery Products has developed a strict green waste acceptance program. Green waste will be primarily commercial landscaper tree/wood waste. The operating plan will keep the flies to a minimum. Furthermore, because Hinkley is eight miles away, the few flies that may be at the site will not impact any neighborhoods.
Q: Will the trucks adversely impact traffic in the local community?
A: No. The traffic to and from the facility will add only 2% to the existing traffic flow. The County’ traffic consultant has found this minor change to be insignificant.