Problem

When Lewis County government inherited all solid waste management duties from the City of Centralia, it needed to pick a site and build a waste transfer station, contract for waste export and disposal outside the county, develop recycling programs, and help cleanup the Superfund-listed city landfill site. Residents and businesses worried about the cost of these new programs. Not yet having a full time solid waste staff, the County turned to consultants

Solution

Over a 4-year period, Rusty LaFerney managed a team ranging from two to 25 engineers and planners to help the County revise its solid waste plan, select a site, obtain the necessary permits and financing, and design and construct a waste transfer station. Rusty conducted 3 well-attended public hearings during site selection, and 2 additional work sessions with neighbors of the selected site during facility design and construction. He also led development of the Request for Proposal and helped select and negotiate with the waste export contractor.

Results

The County executed a favorable waste export contract, picked a site that met all citizen concerns about noise and traffic, and built a waste transfer station -- all on time and within budget. The facility is well designed, economical, centrally located, and compatible with its neighbors. Lewis County gave plaques to members of the consultant team at completion of the project.

Lessons Learned

Every real project has several major issues and an endless stream of minor ones, all of which must be dealt with for the project to succeed. Good project managers know this and welcome these issues as opportunities; even the unpleasant ones. Public involvement can improve the process and the end product. It is a golden opportunity to build credibility.