Neighbor objects to concrete burial near Grandview

A proposal to create a landfill to bury waste concrete near a rural housing development west of Grandview is drawing opposition from one neighbor.

Ray Hallett, who lives near the site of what was an old county gravel pit near Panorama Place, off Waneta Road, said he fears the existence of the landfill may prohibit him and his neighbors from drilling new wells in the future.

Hallett, who owns the Sunnyside movie theater, said state administrative code would require him to prove any new wells wouldn't become contaminated, an impossible standard to meet.

"If I needed to have another well dug, I'd be precluded without a special variance. The burden of proof falls on me," Hallett said.

Property owners located within 1,000 feet of the site, a figure Hallett said could include a number of his neighbors, could also be affected.

State Department of Ecology officials say they don't read the state administrative code the same way.

Gary Bleeker, a solid waste facilities specialist with Ecology's regional office in Yakima, said restricting Hallett's rights is not the intent of the regulations.

"The intent is to protect the neighbors, not restrict their ability or their rights," he said.

The proposal, made jointly by Yakima County and the Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District, is undergoing environmental review by the county. All comments on environmental issues are due by 5 p.m Thursday.

The final decision on required steps to protect the environment can be appealed to the county hearing examiner.

A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. March 18.

The irrigation district wants to use the county's old gravel pit to dispose of concrete and PVC pipe as part of a major system improvement project.

The district, which serves 99,000 acres between Parker to near Benton City, is replacing above-ground concrete weir boxes on about 40,000 acres.

The project will involve removing thousands of tons of concrete when the district pipes about 70 miles of water distribution laterals.

Jim Trull, district manager, said the buried material will include no hazardous material and won't pose a threat to ground water.

But Hallett said the district's application includes some vague references to the possible burial of soil that could be contaminated with pesticides.

The site, about 32 acres, would be fenced and not open for public use.

The site hasn't been used as a gravel pit for more than a dozen years. Yakima County, which must complete a closure plan, sees the district's use as a benefit to residents since the county would have to do less to restore the property, said Dave Veley, the county's equipment services manager.

Allowing the district to place old concrete in the pit will reduce steep slopes that currently exist. When completed, the district will place a foot of topsoil over the pit and revegetate the site.

* David Lester can be reached at 509-577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.