June 2026 update: Sustainable Materials Management Planning Ad Hoc Committee
Joint Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley
On May 15, 2026, the Task Force held its fifth meeting. The agenda, presentations and discussion focused on the shape that a regional waste management governance body could take and potential timeframe and resources that will be required. The Task Force discussion centers on the seven counties most dependent on Coffin Butte Landfill for waste disposal: Benton, Linn, Lincoln, Marion, Polk, Tillamook, and Yamhill.
An overview of transfer station and resource recovery facility infrastructure was presented. The meeting also included discussion of the feasibility of transporting waste by rail from western Oregon to a more appropriately sited landfill east of the Cascades. Additional discussion is planned for the June meeting.
A brief history of the Joint Task Force meetings, which contains links to the Task Force home webpage, list of participants, overview of agenda items, and links to the video recording of each meeting that has taken place, can be found in this Appendix.