July 1, 2024 update:
Metro received a total of 85 written comments regarding Grimm's license renewal application during two separate 30-day public comment periods that were held between the dates of Nov. 16, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024. The comments that Metro received are included below along with a staff report which summarizes and addresses those comments.
On June 24, Metro renewed Grimm's solid waste facility license. The renewed license will require the facility to maintain a bio-cover on all active compost piles, but reduce the minimum amount of cover from 12 inches to six inches to align with current industry standards. Metro finds that this cover depth will continue to mitigate odors and may improve the composting process by allowing for better air circulation and moisture penetration through the piles. Metro will continue to closely monitor Grimm's operations and can re-evaluate the bio-cover depth in the future if conditions change or issues are identified.
The license also includes a series of other updates to clarify requirements, improve organization, remove outdated provisions, and for standardization with other licenses for similar types of facilities. All updates to the license are described in the staff report. The license is effective on July 1, 2024, and expires on June 30, 2029.
Grimm's has applied to renew its composting permit issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Metro staff will participate in the DEQ public hearing process when a date has been set.
Jan. 2, 2024 update:
Metro issued a public notice for the Grimm's Fuel Company, Inc. (Grimm's) application and opened a 30-day public comment period on Nov. 16, 2023, which closed on Dec. 15, 2023. Additionally, Metro held a virtual public information session on the evening of Dec. 5, 2023, and the recording is available below. During the information session and through comments received, Metro staff heard concerns that the quarter-mile radius used for the public notice was not sufficient to notify the surrounding community. To address these concerns, Metro amended the current Grimm’s solid waste facility license to extend the term by six months with no changes, allowing time for a second 30-day public comment period from Jan. 2, to Jan. 31, 2024. Postcards were mailed to all properties within one mile of the facility as notification of the new public comment period. Comments submitted during the first public comment do not need to be resubmitted. Metro will consider all comments received when determining whether to approve the application and proposed changes to the facility's operation. If approved, Metro would issue the renewed solid waste facility license by June 30, 2024, and the license would remain in effect for five years.
Name and location:
Grimm’s Fuel Company, Inc.
18850 SW Cipole Road, Tualatin, Ore.
Description of facility and application:
Grimm’s Fuel Company, Inc. (Grimm’s) submitted an application to Metro to renew its solid waste facility license to operate a compost facility that receives and processes source-separated yard debris, land clearing debris, horse manure and stable bedding. The facility does not accept food waste.
Grimm’s was established in 1929 and moved to its current location in the early 1970s. The composting operation began in 1975, and Grimm’s has been licensed by Metro since 1997. Metro has worked closely with Grimm's and the local community to mitigate impacts to people living near the facility. In response to past community feedback, Metro required Grimm’s to install an aerated static pile (ASP) compost system to minimize odors. The system installation took place during 2019 and 2020 and has resulted in a 98% reduction in complaints received by Metro between 2018 and 2022. The system uses pressure blowers and pipes to push or pull air through compost piles to maintain the ideal oxygen rates and temperatures for composting, which minimizes nuisances. Metro supported the system installation with a $750,000 Investment and Innovation grant.
Grimm’s has proposed two changes to the facility’s current operation in its license renewal application. Grimm’s submitted a letter explaining the request as well as a letter of support from Green Mountain Technologies (GMT), the company that designed and installed the ASP system. Metro finds the requests to be reasonable and consistent with industry standards. Metro will consider public comments before making a final determination.
Proposed changes:
- Decrease the frequency of oxygen readings from daily to weekly. Section 6.6 of Grimm’s current Metro license requires that the ASP system provide a minimum aeration of 10% oxygen content to all active compost piles and that the facility monitor and record oxygen levels daily, per the approved operating plan. Grimm’s reported to Metro that it has conducted thousands of oxygen readings since installing the system and that the data shows an average reading of 18.2%.
- Reduce the bio-cover requirement from 12 inches to as needed. Section 6.3 of Grimm’s current Metro license requires Grimm’s to apply and maintain cover material on all compost piles to control and minimize odors. Grimm’s uses a bio-cover that is comprised of finished compost or porous overs (larger pieces of debris screened from finished compost). Section 7.8 of the license requires a minimum depth of 12 inches of bio-cover covering all sides of the piles. In its letter, GMT cited other yard debris compost facilities with ASP systems that manage odors effectively without the use of a bio-cover, including another Metro-licensed facility in the region. GMT recommends the removal of the 12-inch bio-cover requirement and suggests that Grimm’s maintain bio-cover materials on site so that they are readily available to apply should a persistent offsite odor event occur. GMT recommends a 4- to 6-inch bio-cover in those instances.
The Grimm’s property is zoned General Manufacturing (MG) by the City of Tualatin and the facility’s proposed use is conditionally allowed in this zone by the city. The facility holds two permits issued by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): a Solid Waste Disposal Permit for a Composting Facility and a 1200-Z Industrial Stormwater Discharge Permit. Grimm’s has submitted a complete renewal application to DEQ with the same proposed operational changes as described above. The DEQ Solid Waste Disposal Permit for a Composting Facility expired on Nov. 1, 2023, but will remain in effect until DEQ makes a decision on the renewal application.
A copy of the Metro license renewal application, change request and other related documents are available for viewing below. The public is invited to submit comments by 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2024. Metro will respond to comments received during the public notice periods in a staff report, which will be posted to this webpage when available.