8.31.060 Litter Collected by Volunteer Organizations and Individuals.
A. To implement this Chapter in unincorporated Pierce County, the Solid Waste Division shall provide standardized application forms which shall notify prospective participants of the risks and responsibilities of the County and of the volunteer groups, and shall include a copy of this Chapter.
B. Upon receiving a request from an applicant seeking to be named as an authorized volunteer organization or individual, and before granting such authorization, the Solid Waste Manager will determine whether:
1. the applicant has complied with the terms of any previous Authorization Forms (those that have not shall not be eligible for a period of three years);
2. there is sufficient credit available to provide for disposal of the estimated volume of litter to be collected; and
3. the location of the proposed litter collection activity meets the priorities established in PCC 8.31.060 C.
C. The Solid Waste Manager will authorize requests based upon the location of the litter and the priorities set in this subsection. The Solid Waste Manager will authorize Priority 2 and 3 locations only if it can be determined that sufficient resources exist to meet all estimated annual volumes for Priority 1 locations.
1. Priority 1: The Right-of-Way, as defined in this Chapter, and other County-owned or maintained properties.
2. Priority 2: Other public properties, such those owned by schools; except those properties excluded in PCC 8.31.060 C.4.
3. Priority 3: Private properties that are open and available for public use if the Solid Waste Manager determines there is a definable public purpose to having the credit fund disposal, such as addressing an immediate threat to human health or the environment, and there is no other legal means to fund disposal; except those properties excluded in PCC 8.31.060 C.4.
4. Priority 2 and 3 locations exclude properties owned, managed, administered, controlled, or maintained by: public or private utilities; public and quasi-public corporations which charge rents, levy taxes, or charge fees for admission or service; any city, town, State or Federal government agency; timber resource companies; or railroads.
D. After considering the requirements of PCC 8.31.060 A. through C., the Solid Waste Manager may identify an applicant as an authorized volunteer organization or individual.
1. If the applicant seeks to remove litter from a Priority 1 site, the request shall be forwarded to the County agency which controls or manages the property. That agency is responsible for approving or denying the request, for monitoring the activities of the authorized volunteer organization or individual, and for arranging for the delivery of the litter to disposal sites.
2. If the applicant seeks to remove litter from a Priority 2 or 3 site, the Solid Waste Division and the authorized volunteer organization or individual shall comply with the requirements of PCC 8.31.060 E. and F.
E. The Solid Waste Division shall:
1. Require one designated leader for each authorized volunteer organization or individual.
2. Require all volunteers to be at least 12 years of age, require written parental consent for all participating minors, and require at least one adult supervisor for every four minors. The Solid Waste Manager may waive the minimum age requirement provided the safety of minors is assured by the level of supervision provided and the location of the proposed litter collection activity;
3. Require proof of automobile liability insurance for any vehicle to be used to haul litter to a disposal site;
4. Provide safety information and training aids to the designated leaders for their use in training of their participants;
5. Annually publish a list of authorized volunteer organizations or individuals that perform a litter removal activity and comply with the terms of the Authorization Form, but excluding organizations whose names endorse or oppose a candidate for public office, advocate a position on a specific political issue, initiative, referendum, or piece of legislation, or contain the name of, or reference to, a political party.
F. Authorized volunteer organizations and individuals shall:
1. Name a designated volunteer leader;
2. Submit to the Solid Waste Division written parental consent for participating minors;
3. Provide proof of automobile liability insurance for any vehicle to be used to haul litter to a disposal site;
4. Ensure that all participants receive safety training and provide participants with tools and equipment needed for the task;
5. Gain written permission to collect litter from the property owner or manager and release the County from any liability associated with collecting litter on that property;
6. Deliver waste to a disposal site as directed on the Authorization Form; and
7. Comply with all other terms and conditions of the Authorization Form.