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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
STEPHEN JOHNSON, OPERATIONS MANAGER
SALINAS VALLEY SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY
755-1300
SVSWA CELEBRATES 7TH ANNIVERSARY
February 9, 2004
On January 15th, the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (SVSWA) celebrated
the seventh anniversary of its formation.
The SVSWA continues to be an excellent model of regional cooperation in
the integrated waste management field. It operates as a public/private
partnership charged with reducing the amount of materials sent to the
landfill and providing sound sustainable environmental policies for the
future.
Through a network of citizens, public agencies, schools, non-profit organization,
private consultants, waste haulers and environmentalists, the SVSWA strives
to accomplish its mission and has accepted the benefit and responsibility
of this leadership role for the past seven years.
In its seven years of existence, the SVSWA has proven a successful story
of pro-active solid waste planning and management. The agency’s
unique structure – including equitable jurisdiction representation,
fiscal stability, cutting-edge programs, partnership building and dedicated
staff – resulted in a list of success stories in 2003:
- Received the 2003 Solid Waste Management Systems Excellence Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)
- Completed landfill expansion Environmental Impact Report to achieve long-term landfill capacity for member cities.
- All member cities achieved 50% diversion rate.
- Siting of new Salinas Transfer Station
- Approved $2.3 million closure project for Lewis Road Landfill, which is 95% complete.
- No LEA violations at any landfill site.
- Completed lined landfill cells at Johnson Canyon Road Landfill in Gonzales
- Doubled household hazardous waste customers at the Madison Lane collection facility since the year 2000.
- Issued $40 million in revenue bonds to fund upcoming capitol improvements.
Stephen Johnson, Operations Manager for the Authority says, “The Authority looks forward to an equally busy 2004. We would also like to thank the community for their continued support of all our local waste reduction programs as well as acknowledge all our partners without whom our efforts would be without merit.”
The Authority, formed in 1997, is a joint powers agency made up of
the cities of Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Salinas, Soledad as well
as the eastern half of unincorporated Monterey County. They promote the
environmental health of the Salinas Valley through planning, public education
and management of an innovative solid waste system. The Authority can
be reached at 755-1300 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday or
on the web at www.svswa.org.
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