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pollution that a full scale municipal incinerator, including up to 11 times more dioxins. Currently backyard burning is the largest remaining source of dioxin. 3. Compliance with existing statues Under 115A.941 (a) — Each city and town with a population of 1,000 or more, and any town with a population of 5,000 or more shall ensure that every residential household and business in the city or town has solid waste collection service. To comply with this section, a city or town may organize for collection service. What is the compliance rate within cities and towns? Is it time that solid waste needs to be considered a service - like water, sewer, police and fire protection? This also brings up the issue of out -of -site -out -of -mind. In my experience, cities and towns that do not have organized collection do not engage in other solid waste management issues. They tend to dump these issues upon their haulers with the idea they will manage them versus taking the time to ensure they are properly addressed. A city or town that has an organized collection system in place is more likely to manage and expand their system to address recycling, yard waste (primarily leaves in the fall), and bulky item management (electronics, appliances, tires, mattresses, etc.). Organized collection forces them to take a much more active role in addressing and managing solid waste issues. In Greater Minnesota, need to address the roles of townships. In our County we have two townships that have established a canister site to address solid waste. In one of the counties next to our, I know of a township that has organized collection. The States goal should be the lowest form of government (i.e., cities, towns, or townships) versus counties should manage the contracts for organized collection within their jurisdiction. The States role would be working with their associations to come up with model contracts they can modify for their own use. Counties can also provide assistance upon request to the townships, cities and town. Since 30% of the solid waste management tax is now going to General Revenue, the State can show a proactive leadership role by using some of these funds to provide initiative to LUG's (local units of government) to establish an organized collection system and/or canister stations within their jurisdiction. One item that does need to be addressed when going to organized collection is getting away from the idea of winner takes all. I feel a more reasonable approach would be to divide the existing market share among the existing haulers. The major issue will be the process on establishing a fee that they all must meet. If the majority can and one cannot, then they lose their market share. Current statute (400.04, Subd. 4. Management and service contracts) allows cities to negotiate versus seal bids for solid waste related activities. The largest issue remaining is limiting growth for a hauler. This issue should not be the sole deciding issue, but weighted along all the benefits. What has the greatest benefits to the State residents? Conclusion: X:\MS\IE\2008\08M081\10000 reports\Final Appendices\Appendix I1 -Public Comments.doc 9