Event: What’s Up With Coffin Butte Landfill?

Shining a Light on the Issues

September 28, 7:00-8:45 pm

Corvallis-Benton County Public Library & Zoom

• Zoom Link
• If calling in: +1 206 337 9723 & Webinar ID: 878 9938 0914

“Since World War II, the southern end of Coffin Butte in north Benton County, Oregon, has served as a
solid waste dump site in one form or another. Over time, the site has changed and grown – beginning as a rock quarry, then a U.S Army garbage dump/burn pile, Coffin Butte now serves as a full-scale regional
landfill serving dozens of communities in western Oregon and Washington. While the site has changed
and grown over time, Benton County has not adopted a plan for managing the site or the waste left there
over the decades.” – From Executive Summary, Benton County Talks Trash

In September 2022, “Benton County Talks Trash” kicked off an 8-month public workgroup process, forming five subcommittees to seek common understandings of the history, land use, legal issues, and future of solid waste at the landfill, and to develop a long-term sustainable materials management and community education plan. The result was the Benton County Talks Trash Solid Waste Process Report – a report including findings and recommendations to support decision-making about the future of solid waste in Benton County.

The League has invited six community members who served on the Benton County Talks Trash Subcommittees to share their perspectives.

• What did they learn about the history of the landfill?
• What were their findings and recommendations?
• What lies ahead for dealing with waste in Benton County?

SPEAKERS

• Catherine Biscoe – Introduction
• Mark Yeager – History of Coffin Butte Landfill
• Paul Nietfeld – Landfill Size, Capacity, and Longevity
• Ed Pitera – Past Land Use Conditions
• John Deuel – Sustainable Materials Management Plan
• Mary Parmigiani – Community Education & Public Outreach

The goal of the League’s September program is to provide a basic overview of the Workgroup’s process, an opportunity to identify community concerns, and to outline Benton County’s future plans for waste management. (NOTE: The program will not be about landfill expansion.)

Don’t miss this important event!