cedargrove.jpg
Cedar Grove believes it's not responsible for the stink, but residents who have filed a lawsuit have no doubts. (Cedar Grove Photo/File)

Cedar Grove composting sued over stink

BY Chris Sullivan  on January 24, 2013 @ 5:51 am (Updated: 8:33 am - 1/24/13 )

People living near the two Cedar Grove composting facilities have finally had enough of the smell and they are suing the company for millions of dollars.

Nearly 80 people living near the Snohomish County plant and 280 people living near the facility in Maple Valley have filed a lawsuit against Cedar Grove. Each is asking the maximum $75,000 allowed by law for a total of over $26 million.

Byron Muck lives near the plant in Marysville. "It's near the point where it actually burns your eyes and nose," he said. "It's a nuisance."

The Herald reports the lawsuit claims the loss of personal enjoyment of properties, annoyance, inconvenience and discomfort.

Cedar Grove believes it's not responsible for the stink, but Muck has no doubts. "They've pointed the finger at the Marysville sewer treatment plant," he said. "They've pointed fingers at the Everett sewage treatment plant. They've pointed fingers at the tidal flats."

The company was fined $119,000 in 2011 for odor violations. It has spent nearly $2 million on odor control.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
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Comments (2)


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  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    who was there first?
    January 24, 2013 5:20 am
    the smelly business or the homes? If the homes were there after the business...buyer beware. What do you expect the business to do? Isn't composting good for the environment? There is just no way to please you people.
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  • rhon wrote...
    who was there first?
    January 24, 2013 5:54 pm
    We were, in maple valley anyway. When we moved in it was queen city farms and a toxic dump for Boeing and Paccar. We expect the business to follow the guidelines Air Quality control gave them. In some instances it is good for the environment as long as the established guidelines are followed. You people, really? Please me by doing the right thing, nothing more
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }