Friends of Rocky Top

Friends of Rocky Top (FORT) is a grassroots group of Rocky Top neighbors, businesses, organizations and recreationalists, who are concerned with the environmental degradation arising from DTG activities and the lack of investigation and transparency by the Yakima Health District, Yakima Code Enforcement and the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency to hold DTG accountable to ensure they operate in compliance with the law and in a safe manner.

The beautiful view from a Rocky Top Trail illustrates what Friends of Rocky Top seeks to protect.

Click or Scan to join the Friends of Rocky Top Facebook Group!

Rocky top is a unique shrub steppe ecosystem, traversed by trail systems that provides multiple-use recreational opportunities nearly year-round. It and neighboring properties are now frequently littered with DTG landfill garbage, and strong and persistent odors harsh enough to induce nausea, headaches and vomiting occur regularly. Instead of the required HDPE and clay layer, there is an alternative layer of only soil. Unscheduled periodic bedrock blasting occurs, and there are only two monitoring wells to assess potential groundwater contamination. Landfill neighbors, who all rely on wells for drinking water, are very concerned about this threat to their potable water supply and the regional groundwater system.

If you live within a 1.5 mile radius of the DTG landfill (see map) you can be notified on your cell phone by the Yakima Emergency Management system of an event causing increased detriment to public health (such as contamination of the air or groundwater).  The YHD wants to be able to notify people if there is a need in the future.  They are asking neighbors to sign up for the county’s weather / disaster notification system at this link:  https://www.yakimacounty.us/2222/Alert-Yakima

Landfill neighbors and recreationalists witnessed an unprecedented change to the environment at Rocky Top in the last few years, with increasing odor, fugitive dust, litter and vectors from the operations of the DTG Limited Purpose Landfill, Petroleum Contaminated Soil Remediation Site and Gravel Mining facility. By early 2020, neighbors were complaining about vehicle traffic, lack of vehicle inspections, strong odors and increasing litter. One neighbor hired a consultant, who with other neighbors, observed uninspected vehicles entering the facility between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm on April 15th & 16th, and dumping in pre-dug holes in the mining area, not the landfill. A formal complaint was filed on April 20th with facility regulators, marking the beginning of FORT engagement. Investigation and review of landfill permits and support documents led to concerns about the competency of the geotechnical investigation, and approval of a two-well groundwater monitoring system and alternative soil layer versus engineered liner. Combine the expanded amount of annual bedrock blasting for the gravel operations and the routine lack of inspections of vehicle loads, Rocky Top neighbors and recreationalists have registered concerns with facility regulators.

DTG Landfill

In the Media

Litter, especially plastic, blows off the DTG landfill onto the Rocky Top Shrub-Steppe trails and habitat. Litter crews then must trample the delicate ecosystem to pick up this garbage.

 

Photo Source: WA Dept of Ecology Site Visit January 19, 2023

Figure 10: Facing north. Fine cracks in upper road above repaired slope with black residue around cracks and smoke/vapor emanating from cracks. 

From the Regulators

DTG’s operating hours are 6am to 6pm, yet semi-trucks arrive well past then and into the night. Some drop their loads and leave, in violation of the operating permit which states there must be certified landfill operator on site to receive loads; Others park, and leave their engines running through the night, creating a noise nuisance for neighbors and violating a noise ordinance stating trucks cannot park and be running past 10pm.

This is the southeastern slope of the DTG landfill, where plastic and cardboard have not been properly buried. This waste then gets blown around onto the trail system and into neighbors’ yards.

Fugitive dust blowing off DTG landfill into Coyote Canyon neighborhood area (not shown in photo).

With the support of neighbors and a local conservancy group (Cowiche Canyon Conservancy), the landfill perimeter was surveyed twice for methane (August & November 2020), and once for heat emissions (Feb 2021). Importantly, an independent consultant (GeoEngineers) was hired to assess groundwater monitoring (January 25, 2021; revised July 1, 2021) and a 60% reduction in the standard 1,000 foot setback exemption from a domestic drinking supply well (June 21, 2021; revised July 1, 2021).

Beginning in 2020 and continuing to present, Rocky Top neighbors and recreationalists have been filing complaints and recognizing the need for collective action. Utilizing public records obtained from County and State officials, neighbors and concerned citizens sent a group letter to the Yakima Health District on May 18th 2021, and a larger group letter to Yakima County Public Services on September 20, 2021. A delegation met with the Planning Director on October 19th, 2021.

FORTs goals are to

  • Increase public awareness statewide of DTG's operations and how they pose an environmental threat to Rocky Top and other sites through public outreach tools and media relations

  • Obtain groundwater monitoring data for neighbors' wells

  • Increase FORT membership through public outreach and raising community awareness

  • Apply for grants to support programs and outreach

  • Engage with Yakima Health District, Dept. of Ecology, Board of County Commissioners, Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency, County Public Services and the County Solid Waste Program and other entities as needed

  • Support concerned citizens in communicating their concerns about DTG and C&D landfill operations/recycling to the appropriate authorities

Contact us to let us know if you would like to volunteer directly with this project. All gifts are tax deductible.

Wind blows plastic from DTG landfill onto shrubs on Rocky Top trails.

  • Friends of Rocky Top volunteers host local events stay tuned for updates on upcoming events.

  • Numerous organizations , including Friends of Rocky Top, will have booths with information, activities, etc… Come celebrate our blue planet and learn about things you can do to help keep our environment healthy! This promises to be a fun event for the entire family. Last year there were activities for kids and adults alike.

  • Nancy Lust will give a short presentation and everyone will have an opportunity to mix and mingle. Single Hill Brewery is donating 1/2 their beer proceeds to Friends of Rocky Top as part of their Beer Grows Community Program. Come have a beer with us! Invite your friends! Learn what is happening with DTG at Rocky Top and support Friends of Rocky Top. Single Hill Brewery is located at 102 N Naches Ave in downtown Yakima.