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205 <br /> <br />THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10. 1998 <br /> <br />legislative sub-committee on The Future of Virginia's Environment, dealing specifically with solid waste <br />disposal issues, had been created. Mr. Joyce then summarized three relevant pieces of proposed legislation <br />which contained provisions on such things as limits to landfill expansions, overall disposal limits, fees to <br />establish environmental trust funds, closure of unlined landfillS, prohibitions on the transport of wastes, and <br />limits on wastes brought in from out of state sources. Other issues included possible host agreements with <br />localities for establishment of new land fills and requirements for certification of suitable wastes, and <br />extension of post-closure monitoring requirements beyond thirty years. Discussion then occurred among <br />Council and staff regarding the most serious potential legislative impacts, which were agreed to be those <br />which might result in requirements to close the City's landfill prior to its achievement of full capacity, and <br />legislation which might add to.the cost of operations. It was also noted that some of the proposed legislation <br />was being supported by legislators who had large commercial landfills in their jurisdictions, and thus are <br />biased towards mandating as much waste as possible to such facilities, as opposed to municipally operated <br />facilities. Mr. Joyce observed that it was equally clear that much of this legislative effort was directed <br />towards limiting the amount of waste allowed to be brought into Virginia from outside the State, so large <br />commercial landfills within the State needed to ensure that as much waste generated inside the State as <br />possible came to them. Mr. Joyce stated that efforts were underway to achieve a compromise bill which <br />would incorporate acceptable elements of all three current.pieces of proposed legislation, and that it was <br />hoped that such a consolidated bill would be available by mid;January. He pledged to monitor these <br />legislative issues and keep the City Manager and City Council informed. Mr. Joyce also stated the <br />importance of keeping the area's legislative representatives informed of implications and potential impact of <br />proposed legislation on the City. Mayor Crabtree asked whether it would be effective to voice the City's <br />concerns to various legislators and committee members by sending a letter to them prior to their committee <br />meetings, and asked Mr. Joyce if he would compose a letter for this purpose for his signature. Mr. Joyce <br />responded in the affirmative to both questions. Some additional discussion then took place among Council <br />Members and staff concerning the motives and ethics of those who were attempting to control the waste <br /> <br /> <br />