County plan is a bad idea

When I first heard about a compost facility being proposed for Boulder County, I thought it might be a good idea. I have a strong commitment to doing what I can to reduce my carbon footprint and I am ver y concerned about the climate crisis that we are currently facing.

However, the more I learned more about the proposed project, the more

I became very alarmed about the fact that this was proposed on land that Boulder County acquired as open space and that it would be a gargantuan under taking with detrimental environmental ramifications. It will negatively af fect many living in the surrounding areas.

The Rainbow tree nursery property on U.S. 287 near Colo. 52 is mostly tree covered-land adjacent to wetlands in an agricultural area. Leggett Ditch is adjacent to the property.

This 40-acre facility could take in up to 100 million pounds of rotting food, animal manure and human sewage in a year’s time which would most likely not only come from Boulder County but other surrounding counties.

There is no amount of technology that will stop the bad odor coming from this industrial composting. Erie, Niwot and South Longmont ( Prospect ) are all less than 4 miles away, and Lafayette is less than 5 miles away. More than one composting facility in the U.S. has been shut down due to odor complaints.

Then there is the issue of air, soil and water pollution. Benzene, formaldehyde, microplastic contamination, toxic heavy metals, disease-causing pathogens and pesticide/herbicide contamination have been associated with composting facilities.

Noise pollution from the heavy equipment required and trucks delivering the waste will be unrelenting. Traffic on U.S. 287 will be much worse.

Boulder County, this is a bad idea and a bad location. Please don’t pursue this. Keep it open space. BARBARA comstock

Boulder