Need Solid Wastes generated within Hamilton County are currently being shipped to other counties and states, resulting in considerable lost tax revenues for our county as well as higher collection and disposal costs to all county residents and businesses, due in part to higher transportation costs to ship to these out-of- county landfills. Environmental Materials’ private market study shows this waste to be approximately 1,000 tons per day, which if brought to the City Landfill would reduce its life span from 28 years to approximately 8 years. If other communities and states decide to enact user and/or host fees on our waste, disposal costs at those sites would skyrocket and volume at the City Landfill would increase dramatically. Hamilton County is the responsible party to ensure that the solid waste disposal needs of the County are met. Hamilton County government was paying approximately $131,000 per year for disposal at a reduced rate that was charged to the county by the City of Chattanooga to pay for the land purchased by the City from the County. Since the expiration this year of the County’s agreement with the City to pay for the land, the County’s estimated disposal fees will be approximately $263,000 per year. Hamilton County Schools were paying approximately $126,000 in disposal fees per year prior to July 2007. The school system will now pay approximately $252,000 per year for waste disposal fees.         RESTRICTIONS Environmental Materials will use the existing Birchwood Pike entrance only. Environmental Materials agrees not to accept municipal sludge. Environmental Materials agrees not to accept hazardous materials. The site will be fenced and a natural vegetation buffer will be maintained.         PROPERTY ISSUES Only 159 residences lie within ½ mile of this property, and only 15 of these residences lie on the landfill side of the ridgeline. A great majority of these residences were built after the landfill was established in 1972. Moon Shadows began construction in the late 1970’s. Morning Glory Farms began construction in the late 1970’s. Savannah Estates began construction in the late 1980’s. River Cove began construction in the mid 1990’s. Property values in the area surrounding the current landfills have increased steadily since the 1970’s. (Appraisal report available upon request.) The Hamilton County Commission has chosen this site for the existing land use of 3 separate landfills by voting to approve this land use and investing in necessary infrastructure for all the existing landfills.         TECHNICAL ISSUES Environmental Materials proposes to use only 95 of the calculated 192 acres, devoting the remaining 97 acres to buffer space in order to increase the space between the landfill and other uses. There is no visibility from Harrison Bay Road or from Harrison Bay State Park. Environmental Materials will only operate small 5-6 acres of active fill space. A 2005 TDOT study shows 4,650 vehicles per day travel on Birchwood Pike.  If all waste volume from the Hamilton County area was accepted, there would be approximately a 5% increase in traffic counts on only 1.2 miles of Birchwood Pike. It will take an expected 2 years to permit, design and construct the first phase of the proposed landfill. Groundwater will be totally contained by clay and plastic liners, with mandated monitoring wells for regular testing, which is in accordance with subtitle D landfill regulations. The natural runoff from the proposed landfill property will be controlled by high volume sedimentation ponds when the proposed landfill is in operation. Leachate will be collected and disposed of with the Hamilton County Waste Water Treatment Authority.         FINANCIAL IMPACT The State Inspection Fee on landfills per TCA §68-211-835 (d) is  $ .90 per ton. We propose to pay Hamilton County a $1 dollar per ton host fee per TCA §68-211-835 (e).   The anticipated County revenue is $104,000 by 2010, $208,000 by 2012 and $312,000 by 2017. Hamilton County Schools are now paying a $30 per ton disposal fee.  We propose to offer the Hamilton County School System a $17 per ton disposal fee. The annual savings to the school system would be approximately $109,200 per year. This anticipated revenue and savings will be at no cost to Hamilton County government, Hamilton County school system, or to the approximately 60,000 households in Hamilton County, and will defer future landfill needs in Hamilton County for over 40 years. The combined annual financial benefit to the County is anticipated be approximately $208,400 in 2010 and is expected to increase to $416,400 in 2017.        CONCLUSION Hamilton County has a vested interest in encouraging future growth by attracting major employers with a pro-business environment.  The proposed landfill can play a major role in fueling this growth by helping to reduce costs for private businesses and reducing the public tax burden. In order for Hamilton County to stay competitive in attracting business and growing our local economy, we must plan ahead for our current and future landfill needs. Every house, business and government produces solid waste.   In considering this zoning request, please consider the needs of the entire county and all of its residents.   Growth in the Hamilton County economy benefits all of its residents, not just a few.