ANIMAL-RESISTANT (BEAR-PROOF) TRASH CARTS COMING SOON!

Spread the news!  Waste Management (WM) will soon be offering Animal-Resistant (bear-proof) trash carts (containers) in bear-prone areas of Washoe County such as Caughlin Ranch.

At Caughlin Ranch we embrace our wildlife and natural habitats.  As a result, we strive to be Bear-Smart in the outdoors.  It is our goal to live in harmony with the bears, not to banish them from their native territories.

WM currently provides curb-side service of (self-purchased) animal-resistant carts at $6.27 per month.  The premium charge is due to the fact that the driver is required to exit the vehicle to unlatch the cart lid.  The cost for the animal-resistant cart and the service is currently estimated to be from $7.00 to $9.00 per month depending on the initial number of containers ordered.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!  Washoe County has tasked us to provide an estimate of the number of trash carts our residents will hopefully put into service.  The bigger the order, the lower the cost! 

Here are some reasons why you should seriously consider this premium service:

1. Residents are allowed to place animal-resistant trash carts curb-side the evening before pick-up.

Standard WM trash carts cannot be placed curb-side before the morning of pick-up.

2. A second notice of the same nature for violating Caughlin Ranch’s governing documents will result in an invitation to attend a Compliance Hearing where a fine of $100 can be assessed.  Fourteen (14) days after the hearing, the same fine can be assessed each time there is a repeat of the violation.
3. Washoe County Ordinance 040.112 states: “The owner of a residential or commercial solid waste storage container that is subject to chronic disturbance by domestic or wild animals shall provide an approved animal resistant container and/or relocate the container to an area that is not accessible by animals.  A chronic disturbance is two (2) or more validated incidents in a 12 month time frame beginning with the first valid incident.  The approved animal resistant container must be installed within 90 days of the second validated incident within the 12 month time frame.”
4. In an effort to control the problem and keep Washoe County apprised of the level of bear activities in Caughlin Ranch, management will report documented incidences of trash disturbances by domestic or wild animals to Washoe County for immediate follow-up.
5. IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!  Humans have created the problem by making trash/waste available to hungry animals.  It will take some time, but the bears will learn to find food elsewhere.  Once they toss a cart around a few times and see that it does not open, they will move onto the next cart which hopefully will not open either.  The bears will eventually move to new territory where they can find natural food sources.

Please e-mail:  admin@caughlinhoa.com ASAP if you would like to be placed on the list to receive the WM animal-resistant cart and service.  There is a service discount for residents 70+ and those verifiably disabled.