2011/04/20 Council Agenda Packet

Cedar Grove recorded 22 odor complaints from this person in 2009, 12 complaints (55 percent) of the odor complaints were determined to be meteorologically possible. The remaining complaints occurred during wide ranges of wind speeds and wind directions,which would indicate either multiple sources with similar odors or one source very nearby. The individual was invited to tour Cedar Grove to help the facility locate the source of the odor. After touring the facility, the person was unable to detect the particular odor she was experiencing at her residence from any of the processes at the facility. It was later determined that the individual lives approximately 1 block from a crematorium,which has the potential to be the source of the odors. The morning odor event also brings into question the odor complaints recorded during the evening hours on June 11. Perhaps the odors generated during the morning hours were from a source located within the City of Everett. This would also explain why the complainants described the odor as "chemical like" or burning the eyes, nose and throat. This is not the typical description for odors from a composting facility, but would instead indicate that the chemicals causing the odor may be solvents, like naphthalene, xylene, and toluene. Any of the before mentioned facilities, Harbor Marine, TC System, Everett Navel Station, Everett Shipyards and Kimberly Clark Pulp and Paper Mill, could use solvents in their operation, which would produce a"chemical like" smell. 11.5 Analysis of Complaints for Lake Stevens and Areas Located Southeast of Cedar Grove In 2009, there were a total of 8 complaints recorded for the area SE of Cedar Grove including Lake Stevens.. Of those complaints 3 (38%)were determined to be meteorologically possible and 5 (62%) were determined to be meteorologically improbable. The day with the highest number of meteorologically possible complaints recorded was June 8. On June 8th from 18:30 to 20:02, two odor complaints were received and both were determined to be meteorologically possible. One odor complaint was received at 09:27 in Marysville, but was determined to be meteorologically improbable, since the winds at Cedar Grove were from the NE during and before that time period. From 11:46 to the time of the complaints the winds at Cedar Grove varied from the WSW to the WNW, with consistent light winds from 1 to 11 mph. Figure 11 indicates the locations of the odor complaints and wind directions. The two Lake Stevens residences are approximately 2.7 miles from Cedar Grove. During stable atmospheric condition it may be possible for a plume or puff of odorous air to stay intact enough over that distance to create an odor impact. However at the time of the complaint,winds were light but consistent, indicating a more neutral or even slightly unstable condition. Under these conditions, a plume or puff is less likely to stay intact over that distance, indicating that a much stronger odor source or one located closer to the complainant's house would be more likely to generate a complaint. The conclusion that Cedar Grove would be unlikely to be the source is also indicated by the 62 percent of the complaints that were determined to be meteorologically improbable. The improbable complaints all have meteorological conditions similar to the condition seen in Figure 8 above for 6620 Sunnyside Boulevard on June 4. The winds were generally coming from the SW. There are agricultural areas located nearby and upwind of the location of the complaints. Many farms apply fertilizer, often in the form of animal manure, to their fields which would generate odors similar to compost. Feed that has - 37 {00235104.DOC/3}