Compost plant raises stink in Calif. town

MARIPOSA, Calif., April 5 (UPI) -- Residents of Mariposa, Calif., say a compost plant built in the town to process garbage from Yosemite National Park is stinking up their homes.

The $8 million compost plant, built next to Mariposa's landfill, is designed to be an earth-friendly alternative to other forms of garbage disposal, The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday. The plant is aimed at cutting garbage volume by half and cutting costs for the dirt needed to cover the landfill.

However, area residents say the benefits of the plant may not be enough to balance out the horrific stench it radiates, the Times said.

"Sometimes it's so strong up here it burns your eyes," resident Sam Spaulding, who lives above the plant, said of the smell. "After this thing got going -- pee-u-wee!"

"We have a vocal minority, but they're very vocal," Dana Hertfelder, the county's public works director, told the newspaper. "They never have been in favor of it, and the odor problem has given them something to grab on to.

"I do believe we'll get the odors under control."