To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Mike Wilson
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Letters of Support for California Senate Bills 1143 (Allen) and 1066 (Blakespear) Regarding Extended Producer Responsibility for End of Life of Explosive Marine Flares and Toxic and Dangerous Hazardous Household Wastes
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair of the Board to sign the attached letters supporting California Senate Bills 1143 and 1066;
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return fully executed original copies of the attached letters of support to the County Administrative Office; and
3. Authorize the County Administrative Office to submit the attached letters of support to the appropriate representative and/or committee and advocate accordingly throughout the life of California Senate Bills 1143 and 1066.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund
DISCUSSION:
California Senate Bill 1066 ("SB 1066") requires extended producer responsibility for marine flares, shifting the costs of managing this product from our cities and counties - and ultimately local ratepayers - to the producers/users. SB 1066 is sponsored by the National Stewardship Action Council and Zero Waste Humboldt, and is supported by the Rural Counties Representatives of California.
Federal law requires recreational boats to carry United States Coast Guard ("USCG") approved visual distress signals in case of emergencies to help pinpoint the boater's exact location. Pyrotechnic marine flares have historically been what boaters use to meet this requirement, but these flares contain toxic metals and pollutants that render them hazardous reactive and explosive waste at end-of-life. An estimated 174,000 outdated flares are generated each year by recreational vessels in the state, which can cost $185 to properly dispose of one, but can be purchased new for approximately $13.
Since 2015, boaters have had the opt...
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