"Innovations" Case Studies: Sonoma County 

Challenges, Opportunities, and Tips

Local Government Challenges and Opportunities

Next Steps for Sonoma County

Beginning in August 1998 and continuing in 1999, the Sonoma County local task force met to discuss future plans and strategies. A strategy of various diversion programs was developed with high, medium, and low priority programs to recommend to the JPA for implementation. The high priority items were formatted into a monthly status report. Implementation of these programs began in 1999.

The County of Sonoma has completed the environmental review process for a number of projects at the central disposal site, including the expansion of the recycling and reuse center, a permanent household hazardous waste collection facility, and a public tipping area. The flow of traffic and the more controlled atmosphere of the planned facility are expected to significantly increase recycling at this site.

The new design will direct all public traffic past the recycling area. Additionally, the more controlled atmosphere of a tipping floor will increase the ability to monitor disposal and allow for floor-sorting of recyclables. Lastly, all landfill users will be weighed and charged based on weight, providing a strong economic incentive to recycle. The county is currently going through the permit process. Construction was scheduled to begin when weather permits in 2000.

The Laguna Waste Water Treatment Plant has begun composting and performing land application of the majority of sludge produced by the facility. This effort is expected to divert approximately 50 tons per day-or 15,000 tons a year-of yard waste from the disposed waste stream used as a bulking agent in this process.

Purpose of a Regional Agency

Cities and counties are authorized to form “regional agencies” under Public Resources Code section 40970. Regional agencies (RA) are allowed to measure diversion jointly, which in essence averages the diversion among the participating jurisdictions. RAs can report diversion and disposal numbers as one entity instead of by jurisdiction. If jurisdictions find it beneficial to report and measure diversion rate achievement together, then an RA needs to be formed to do so. All roles of the RA and each member jurisdiction should be outlined in an agreement.

How to Become a Regional Agency

Jurisdictions form an RA by first forming a “joint powers authority” (JPA), as allowed under Government Code section 6500 et seq. If jurisdictions already belong to a JPA for a specific purpose, the existing JPA can be expanded to meet the RA requirements, or an entirely new JPA can be established in order to form an RA. A regional agency can submit annual reports, disposal reports, and other reporting data as one unit without reporting information for each jurisdiction. Time and money saved on reporting could be redirected toward implementing diversion programs.

The agreement to form the JPA must be approved by the CIWMB and must meet, at a minimum, all of the following provisions to be considered (PRC section 40975):

1. List the member jurisdictions and describe the RA, including the name and address.
2. Describe the method by which any civil penalties imposed by the Board will be allocated among the cities or counties that are members of the RA.
3. Describe a contingency plan that shows how each city or county will comply with the planning and waste diversion requirements in the event that the RA is abolished.
4. Describe the duties and responsibilities of each member jurisdiction demonstrating that the city or county will comply with the planning and waste diversion requirements.
5. Describe the source reduction, recycling, and composting programs to be implemented by the RA. These programs shall be at least as effective in meeting the diversion requirements as those that each city or county has proposed in its current source reduction and recycling element.
6. Any other additional elements as determined to be needed by the jurisdictions that are members of the RA.

What Should be Considered When Becoming a Regional Agency

Many factors should be considered before becoming a regional agency. Some factors are political and some practical. For example, some cities may want to designate the RA to make political decisions on their behalf. In that case, members should consult with their legal counsels to discuss the costs and benefits and ensure the JPA agreement is written to specifically address the issue. If the members allow the JPA to approve planning documents on their behalf, it could reduce the time needed to prepare and submit plans to the CIWMB by having one local approving body rather than several.

The section of a JPA agreement that is difficult for most jurisdictions to agree on is the section discussing civil penalty allocations. The allocations can be assigned on a pro-rata basis by tonnage or population; however, whatever the jurisdictions agree on must clearly allocate civil penalties in the event the CIWMB imposes a financial penalty.

Also, when forming an RA, it helps to consider all the upcoming contracts for solid waste services that could be negotiated by the RA instead of individual member jurisdictions. Sometimes it is more cost-effective to have one entity manage solid waste projects than to have several smaller entities manage many projects.

Every area that the jurisdictions wish to assign responsibility to the JPA should be explicitly described in the agreement. Provisions should also be made for how to easily modify that scope of work (for example, through an annual budget and work plan process).

Tips for Replication

• Assess your current status under the IWMA and determine if you are meeting the planning, reporting, and diversion requirements.
• Ask your neighboring communities if they are meeting IWMA planning, reporting, and diversion requirements.
• Convene a regional meeting to explore the possibility of working together as a regional agency to decrease costs and increase efficiencies of complying with the IWMA.
• Contact the CIWMB Local assistance staff and ask how they would recommend you proceed. Request a sample RA agreement that outlines the types of things that are desired locally.
• Consider using an existing organization or administrative structure to form the regional agency by assuming these additional responsibilities. This could significantly decrease the time it takes for startup.

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Last updated: October 26, 2007