EPHRATA — The Grant County commissioners are accepting public comment on a proposal to close trash collection facilities, known as drop boxes, in Coulee City and Mattawa.

Written comments will be accepted through Feb. 19. Oral comment will be accepted during a virtual public hearing at 3 p.m. Feb. 23.

The drop boxes are the last two operating in Grant County. Last fall, the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee recommended closing only the drop box near Coulee City, then the committee voted to close both, citing their cost of operation.

Port of Mattawa Director Lars Leland said Tuesday he’s not sure what the county’s plan will be when it comes to garbage pickup. Ideally, there will be a solution for the southern section of the county, he said.

Taking out drop boxes in other areas of the county led to an increase in illegal dumping of trash, Leland said, which presents a threat to public health and to local tourism.

The county’s Public Works director, Sam Castro, didn’t immediately respond to a request for more information.

Leland said port officials are working on possible alternatives for trash collection in the Mattawa area.

Written comments can be sent to the commission office at P.O. Box 37, Ephrata, WA 98823, attention: commissioners office.

People who want to give oral comment Feb. 23 can call 408-418-9388 and use access code 146 743 7367. Comments will be limited to two minutes per person.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at [email protected].