Are you tired of seeing trash strewn about the community? Worried about aggressive bears? Concerned about garbage rate increases? Saddened by bear fatalities? Interested in preserving our region’s wild bear population? Read on. 

On 17 December, the Board of Supervisors approved a garbage service rate adjustment that includes an additional monthly fee of $12 per can for bear-resistant containers for residential services. (The additional 10% monthly surcharge listed in the Rate Adjustment Calculator was characterized as “oversight” and applicable only to commercial customers.)

Per the plan approved by the Board of Supervisors, the typical Three Rivers residential customer with three cans would pay an additional $36 per month to voluntarily convert to bear-resistant containers. This is almost double our current rate, and additional rate increases are expected this coming June. 

When contacted, neither county nor Mid Valley Disposal representatives were able to say how the $12 monthly per-can fee was derived, what manufacturer and model of bear-resistant container had been selected, what criteria was used to select it, whether Mid Valley was purchasing the containers in bulk, and what the per-container cost to Mid Valley would be. No effort was made to seek community input or access available grants. 

Our local bear population has experienced an immense loss of habitat over the last several years. At the same time, the increase in short-term rentals (STRs) has increased the availability of garbage on which the bears can feed. The growing prevalence of roadside metal trash bins (dumpsters), which are demonstrably NOT bear resistant, has increased the amount of trash available to bears while posing a hazard to vehicles. Based on the experience of other communities, we are likely to see an increase in bear aggression, home and car break-ins, and bear mortality if we do not take immediate action. Furthermore, the longer we wait to implement a solution, the more costly the solution will be. 

Fortunately, the community of Three Rivers has the ability to implement a more affordable and effective solution than the one currently offered by Tulare County and Mid Valley Disposal. Local residents are forming a committee to do just that. If you are interested in being an active member of the group or just sharing your ideas and needs, please email info@3rtogether.org, and we will put you in touch with the people organizing the effort. 

[Compiled by Laile Di Silvestro with input from Tulare County Solid Waste and Mid Valley Disposal]