Natural Resources

League of Women Voters^®
of Marion and Polk Counties

Air and Water. Land Use: Comprehensive Plan. Land Use: Council of Governments. Solid Waste.

Air and Water

The League supports measures to prevent and control air and water pollution in the Salem area.

Land Use: Comprehensive Plan (1973, 1976)

The League supports the concept of the Salem Comprehensive Plan, urban growth policies and boundary.

Land Use: Council of Governments (1973, 1976)

The League supports local government participation in regional planning bodies (Council of Governments).

Solid Waste (1998)

The League of Women Voters of Marion and Polk Counties supports
a. The National League's position statements supporting government policies to reduce the generation of waste and promote the reuse and recycling of materials as the preferred methods of solid waste management.
b. Of primary concern are the public health and environmental impacts of solid waste disposal. These impacts should be given priority consideration over dollar cost impacts of solid waste disposal.
c. There is a role for both landfills and incineration in an integrated solid waste management system. Incineration should be the primary method of disposal if:

1. Materials found to contribute to the formation of dioxins and the release of heavy metals are removed before incineration and disposed of in a landfill; and

2. Fly ash is tested separately for pollutants and disposed of as required by test results.

d. Scientific research on the toxic effects of waste disposal should continue. Toxicity testing of leachate, ash, and air emissions should be impartial, random, and frequent.
e. Local pollution control standards may need to exceed EPA standards to gain public confidence that disposal impacts do not harm public health or the environment.

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