The Metropolitan King County Council voted recently to simplify the process for granting fee waivers to dispose of debris from disaster damage, and to facilitate clean-up of debris following flooding or other disasters.

The policy gives either the county executive or the council the ability to authorize waiving disposal fees at one or more solid waste transfer stations, providing drop boxes for disposal, distributing vouchers for disposal or other appropriate means of providing for free disposal of debris generated by a disaster. During past flood and storm events, fee waivers have been instituted occasionally on a case-by-case basis.

The legislation also requires reporting of tonnage accepted and estimated loss of revenue, as well as additional planning to establish clean-up policies and procedures in response to disasters.

“The floods and windstorms of recent winters have served as a reminder of the importance of King County’s role in facilitating solid waste disposal for the region,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who represents the Snoqualmie Valley.