ba/haul.pr             97-175                                  Contact:  David Weaver, 301-217-6530 
                                      or Peter Karasik, 301-217-3742


DUNCAN SUBMITS PROPOSED
OUT-OF-COUNTY HAUL CONTRACT
TO  COUNCIL                                                   For Immediate Release: June 4, 1997

     A major step toward closing the Oaks Landfill and deferring development of the Site 2
Landfill in Dickerson occurred today when County Executive Douglas M. Duncan submitted a
proposed contract for out-of-county waste transportation and disposal services to the County
Council.
     Under the 15-year contract, which contains an option for a five-year extension, ash
residue and other County waste materials will be transported via rail to a  new facility in
Brunswick, Virginia, located about 200 miles south of Montgomery County, near the southern
border of the state. 
     Solid Waste officials noted that the competitive market for waste disposal services in
the region resulted in the County's receiving "extremely cost-effective proposals" in response
to its Request for Proposals.  The service fee of  approximately $35 per ton called for in the
contract will remain fixed for the first five years.  After that, it will be adjusted by up to 75
percent of the Consumer Price Index for the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area.     
     Approval of the contract will significantly advance final closure of the Oaks Landfill
in Laytonsville.   Development of the Dickerson Site 2 Landfill will not be necessary as 
                                  -more-

CONTRACT FOR OUT-OF-COUNTY HAUL                                                2-2-2-2

long as an out-of-county disposal option is in place.
     Duncan said, "I am very pleased that we have the opportunity to move  forward
quickly to close the Oaks Landfill, preserve pristine agricultural land, and dispose of our ash
in a very cost-efficient way." 
     "We are delighted by this news," said Laytonsville Mayor Charles T. White.  "The
County Executive said he would do what he could to make sure that the County closes the
Oaks Landfill as soon as possible, and he's done that."
     Jane Hunter, president of the Sugarloaf Citizens Association, said, "Doug Duncan
promised he would take an objective look at out-of-County ash haul, and once again, he's
kept his word to our community.  We're grateful for his efforts in helping to avoid an
unnecessary landfill in our community."
     According to Robert Merryman, deputy director of the Department of Public Works
and Transportation, "Once the contract is approved, the County will be extremely well-
positioned for the long-term management of solid waste.
     "We have a Resource Recovery Facility," Merryman said, "which substantially reduces
our volume of waste, outstanding and ever-expanding yard waste composting and recycling
programs, and an agreement with a brand new, environmentally responsible facility 
outside of the County which will receive ash residue from the RRF, non-processible waste
such as rubble, regulated asbestos-contaminated material, and bypass waste."
     The Council will act on final approval of the contract and the appropriation of funds.
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