Mr. Hassan Vakili, Director
Waste Division
Va. Dept. of Environmental Quality
629 E. Main St.
Richmond, VA 23219


Dear Sirs:

  On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, I write to make comments and recommendations regarding the recycling program of the city of Roanoke, Virginia.

  As you well know, both the EPA and Virginia DEQ recently settled in court charges against Roanoke for --- dumping hazardous waste material.  While BREDL condemns Roanoke's illegal action,  we do feel that Roanoke is beginning to "wake up" to its duty to protect the environment of its residents. We support the actions taken by state and federal agencies to correct this problem.

  Part of Roanoke's sentence included "community service". We understand that the agreement has already been made. This mainly involves a much needed program for household hazardous waste collection with proper disposal and development of the Tinker Creek greenway. Both projects we endorse.  In addition to this, we recommend that Roanoke City's curb side recycling program continue.

  In May of 1999, the Roanoke City Council considered dissolving the recycling program. Councilwoman Linda Wyatt remarked that the resources would be better used to improve bulk brush collection. -------- [O]ne of the reasons cited for decreasing recycling was that the expected tonage of raw trash going into the Smith Gap Landfill is down - which the city claims is putting pressure on them to increase the garbage flow into the landfill.

  Referring to the city's recycling program in the Roanoke Times May 23, 1999 edition,  Roanoke Mayor David Bowers said "Protecting the environment makes sense" and Vice Mayor Nelson Harris said "It is socially responsible". However, Bowers added "... if other localities in southwest Virginia aren't interested in municipal recycling, maybe Roanoke shouldn't be, either."

  -------------. We understand that Roanoke city along with Roanoke County, which eliminated its recycling program in 1997, and the town of Vinton, which has mandatory recycling, have hired a consultant to study the area's solid waste issues. The Final Report will be presented to Roanoke's City Council sometime near the end of March 2000. In addition, we also realize that Roanoke has a new City Manager and new leadership in its Solid Waste Department.

The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League -hereby- requests -that- the city of Roanoke --- set an example for southwest Virginia.

We recommend the following:

(1) That the City of Roanoke keep its current curb side recycling program, and expand it to include all city residents.

(2) That as Roanoke serves its time on a three year probation, the EPA and DEQ monitor Roanoke's recycling program as an indicator of Roanoke's commitment to maintaining and improving the environment of its residents.

(3) That the City of Roanoke institute measures which will prevent future illegal hazardous waste dumping including expanding the household hazardous waste collection program to include commercial and industrial waste generators.

(4) That the City of Roanoke develop a hazardous waste reduction program which will provide education and technical assistance to residential, commercial, and industrial customers on pollution prevention measures.

BREDL is a non-profit organization with over a decade of experience on solid and hazardous waste education. We would be happy to provide information to any interested  parties on these issues and on the above recommendations.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Sincerely,


Mark E. Barker
Virginia B.O.D. Vice-President
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
(540) 342-5580


copies:   Mr. David Bowers,  Roanoke City Mayor
              Ms. Darlene Burcham, Roanoke City Manager
              Mr. Skip Decker, Roanoke Solid Waste Superintendent
              Roanoke City Council