Posted on Thu, Oct. 15, 2009

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State seeks input from public on trash plan

BY DION LEFLER

The Wichita Eagle

The state of Kansas wants you to talk trash.

Specifically, the Department of Health and Environment is seeking public opinions on what should be in the next statewide Solid Waste Management Plan, which will be enacted next year and guide waste disposal through 2015.

KDHE has plenty of ideas on waste disposal and the legislative authority to carry them out. But the department doesn't have the money to do everything it wants to, said Bill Bider, director of the Bureau of Waste Management.

That's where the public comment comes in, he said.

"We primarily have to prioritize," Bider said. "We're looking for feedback from interested parties about how best to use the state's funds."

The comments will help gauge the level of interest in recycling programs, educational efforts, illegal-dumping enforcement and other issues, he said.

KDHE has prepared a survey allowing people to rank the relative importance of 24 solid-waste programs.

In addition, the survey asks questions related to landfill regulation, dump closures and tipping fees.

Bider said the goal is to get a cross-section of opinion from government, industry, environmentalists and the general public.

Residents can fill out the survey online or download a copy to submit on paper at www.kdheks.gov/waste.

Or, a paper copy of the survey can be obtained by sending an e-mail to bwm_web@kdheks.gov, or

calling KDHE at 785-296-1600.

Completed surveys will be accepted through Nov. 20.

KDHE officials will prepare a draft plan by Jan. 20 and schedule public meetings to review it in February.

The final plan is expected to be adopted in the spring.

Reach Dion Lefler at 316-268-6527.

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