What Is The Green Waste Transfer Station?

 The GWTS was permitted by the U.S. Forest Service  for the purpose of providing all Forest Lakes residents a place to take their compostable debris.  A comprehensive list is shown below.  It is a receiving and storage station and ultimately final dissemination of the forest materials.

The GWTS is located on nearby forest property.

Usage fee is $10 per load. It is self-sustaining financially. Tax revenues are not used to fund the operation. 

The GWTS is a public service provided jointly by the Forest Lakes Owners Association (FLOA) and the Forest Lakes Fire District (FLFD).  FLOA is the permit holder and handles the contractual interface with the U. S. Forest Service, specifically the Black Mesa Ranger District.

 FLFD provides operations management, including site maintenance and preparation of the site for chipping operations, the latter of which requires a front loader, which FLFD provides.  The Black Mesa Ranger District and the FLFD are responsible for fire suppression.

 The GWTS is open from April through October,  and as needed in December, at least 3 - 5 days a week.   Operations outside of this season must be authorized by the Forest Service. The Forest Service reserves the right to close the permit area, due to snow or wet roads and soil.  Hours within the season are determined on community needs and weather conditions. 

It is staffed during hours of operations. An attendant monitors incoming loads of debris to ensure proper material is being dropped off. At all other times, it is secured and locked.

1.  The GWTS must be closed when a Red Flag Warning is declared, due to its location being on National Forest property.  If a Red Flag Day is on an Operational day, the site will open at 7 AM and then close 1/2 hour before the Red Flag hours begin.

2.  When there are heavy rains or excessive weather conditions, such as hot temperatures combined with dryness and high winds, and lightning.

3.  During Stage 3 Fire Restrictions when all forest roads are closed by the U. S. Forest Service or any time the U. S. Forest Service closes it for just reasons.

ALLOWED MATERIALS

Vegetative material, such as tree thinning branches and brush, boles of trees, pine needles, cones, grass clippings, and other plant material. All brush must be removed from any plastic bags and bags must be removed from the area.

NOT ALLOWED

Large stumps, hazardous materials, non-vegetative materials (rocks, dirt etc.) and human processed materials such as appliances, appliance parts, rubber tires, auto parts, and building materials.