INC NEWS - Yard Waste resolution text

[Barry Ragin]

for those of you at tonight's INC meeting who did not get a copy of the 
proposed yard waste resolution, here it is. This is the version passed 
by DPNA; the Forest Hills draft was slightly different. The key action 
item is the call for City Council to create a working group to advise 
it on a new yard waste policy, and for Council to have some commitment 
to implementing the recommendations of the committee.

thanks,
Barry Ragin
DPNA president

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Resolved: The Duke Park Neighborhood Association Board formally 
requests that the City of Durham re-examine its policies on the 
collection of yard waste within the city limits. This re-examination 
should include a review of the purpose of collecting yard waste, the 
methods of collecting yard waste, and the distribution of the costs of 
collecting yard waste. Thorough examination of the practices of other 
municipalities, including cost structures and collection practices, 
should also be included. A working committee comprised of relevant city 
employees, department heads, and representatives of community 
organizations should conduct this review, and be charged with making 
specific recommendations to City Council as to how this policy should 
be rewritten.

The City of Durham has gradually, over the past few years, increased 
the out of pocket costs to its citizens of participating in the yard 
waste collection program by requiring the purchase of a specified yard 
waste cart, instituting an annual fee to register the required cart, 
increasing that annual fee by 20% in the current fiscal year, reducing 
the amount of yard waste that will be picked up with the payment of 
these required fees, and charging additional fees for the removal of 
normal amounts of yard waste.

The result of these policies has been a continued decline in 
participation in the yard waste program among Durham citizens. 
According to figures published in the Durham Herald-Sun on 20 December, 
2004, approximately 13,000 Durham households are currently 
participating in the program, down significantly from approximately 
18,000 in the previous fiscal year, and down dramatically from the 
period before annual fees were instituted. The revenue generated by 
current levels of participation is lower than that generated in recent 
years, despite the increase in fees.

A search of the internet for the published yard waste collection 
policies of other North Carolina municipalities shows Durham is 
currently in the minority in both the restrictions on yard waste and 
the fees charged for picking such waste up. Although we applaud the 
city's efforts to encourage citizens to reuse as much of this material 
as possible, we urge the city to recognize that it's efforts are 
counterproductive. As fewer citizens participate in the program, more 
yard waste is is either dumped illegally or simply pushed out onto the 
city streets. The results are increased pollution in our creeks and 
streams, unsightly streets, and blocked storm drains, creating 
esthetic, health, and safety problems for all residents.

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