Management of the Idyllwild Transfer Station has changed hands, as of Nov.1, with CR&R Inc. of Stanton buying the contract that Waste Management Inc. had with Riverside County. Some changes, such as eliminating or reducing some fees, are already under consideration or implemented.

The county Board of Supervisors approved the transfer or sale of Franchise Area 8, which includes Idyllwild, Anza and Pinyon, last month.

“We’re real excited about being up there and providing service to the customers,” said Alex Braicovich, CR&R senior regional vice president. He added that CR&R is making some positive changes, “but not wholesale changes because we know the station has been there a long time and people are used to the hours.”

For example, the transfer station will continue to be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The county Department of Environmental Health recommended the approval, primarily based on its experience with CR&R. For more than 25 years, the company has served five franchise areas within Riverside County, such as Cherry Valley, Cabazon and the unincorporated area near San Jacinto, all larger than Franschise Area 8, and several other Southern California areas, according to John Watkins, DEH deputy director.

“They are a good company,“ Watkins said. “The only difference is a change in ownership.”

In preparation to take responsible for Franchise Area 8, CR&R officials discussed the situation with the DEH people, who made several suggestions to CR&R.

Already CR&R has eliminated the fee for disposal of electronic waste, Watkins said and Braicovich confirmed. They will accept e-waste, although there is a simple form to complete, according to Braicovich.

In the future, the construction and demolition debris fee may be reduced. Braicovich confirmed that CR&R is examining the policy. Waste Management was concerned that contractors were bringing a large amount of building materials to the site, which is limited to residential use.

The CR&R headquarters is in Stanton, but the Riverside office is in Perris. It provides waste and recycling services throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange and San Bernardino counties, as well as Riverside County.