On October 15, Senator Sara Gelser Blouin (Sentate District 8) and Representative Sarah Finger McDonald (House District 16) submitted written testimony to the Benton County Board of Commissioners (LU-24-027 Hearing), expressing their opposition to the Conditional Use Permit for expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill.
A paragraph in their testimony addresses HB 3794, legislation that established the Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley—now central to developing a sustainable regional approach to materials management.
They write:
“Long term planning doesn’t require expansion now
We are surprised that expansion advocates are now arguing that HB 3794, legislation introduced by Representative Finger McDonald and sponsored by both of us, makes approval of the expansion application essential. The taskforce formed by HB 3794 will look at solid waste issues across our region. It anticipates the closure of Coffin Butte and the need to develop a responsible, forward looking waste management plan for our region. This is work that must be done regardless of whether the landfill is expanded. It is frustrating to see the taskforce’s work used to justify forcing the people of Benton County to continue disproportionately shouldering the burden of Oregon’s waste stream.”
Joining the LWV of Corvallis in submitting resolutions urging denial of the Coffin Butte Landfill Expansion were the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and the Green Party. Other organizations submitting formal testimony opposing the expansion are: Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance, Marys Peak Group – Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, Great Old Broads, Clean Air Now! Coalition, Our Revolution Corvallis Allies, Benton Soil and Water District, Luckiamute Watershed Council, 1000 Friends of Oregon, Willamette Riverkeeper, Mid-Valley Bicycle Club, Marys River Grange, Willamette River Grange, Beyond Toxics, Benton County Environment and Natural Resources Advisory Committee, and Friends of Polk County.
On November 4, the Benton County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to approve Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. An appeal of that decision is being filed with Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals by the local Valley Neighbors for Environmental Quality and Safety group. Other environmentally oriented organizations have committed to file as Intervenors.
Assignments to the HB 3794 Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley have been completed and the first meeting will take place on December 16, 2025 at 2:00PM. The link to livestream or view recordings of this meeting is can be found here.
We will continue to monitor the Task Force’s work as it advances sustainable materials management planning for our region.
Anyone who is interested in joining this effort can contact us at: https://lwvcorvallis.org/contact.