Skip to content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer

Benton County Talks Trash (BCTT)

A Brief History of the Landfill Site in Benton County

1942

1950’s to 1990’s

2000’s

2020

June 2021

November 2021

December 2021

December 2021

March 2022

July 2022

September 2022 to April 2023

April 2023

October 2023 to Present

June 2024

July 2024

August 2024

2037

Origins of present-day landfill operations

Waste disposal begins at Camp Adair related to WWII military operations. Landfilling first began in the 1940s by the Army as part of waste disposal for Camp Adair. Waste was placed in a quarry on the southwest flank of Coffin Butte, where the landfill operated as an open burn dump (referred to as the “Closed Landfill”).

The BCTT Final Report and A History of Coffin Butte Landfill presentation provide additional detail.

Ownership changes; expansion; environmental concerns

Aerial view of landfill

Multiple landfill site ownership changes occurred throughout the mid- to late century. The landfill expanded as a regional disposal site for DEQ’s Chemeketa Region and over time, environmental concerns related to groundwater and soil contamination, odors, fire, and air quality arose. In the 1980s, landfills across the United States became subject to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) which turned Coffin Butte into a regional Subtitle D landfill while closing many other smaller landfills.

The BCTT Final Report and A History of Coffin Butte Landfill presentation provide additional detail.

Ownership Changes; Groundwater Remediation; Tonnage Increase

Groundwater remediation stock image

Additional landfill site ownership changes occurred in the 2000s. A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for quarry excavation and landfilling operation on the Coffin Butte property was approved (2002-2003). DEQ later issued a record of decision on Coffin Butte groundwater remediation activities deeming the landfill site to be in compliance (2005). In 2016, landfill tonnage increased from 553,000 tons to 941,000 tons in 2017. In 2019, Republic Services began installing methane capture wells. Today, over 300 of these wells feed generators and provide 4,000+ homes with electricity.

The BCTT Final Report and A History of Coffin Butte Landfill presentation provide additional detail.


stock image of franchise agreement

Benton County Renews Franchise Agreement

Benton County renewed the landfill franchise agreement with Valley Landfills, Inc. through 2040. A clause in the 2020 Agreement includes removal of the 1.1 million tonnage cap upon any future CUP expansion.

2020 Franchise Agreement

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Landfill Expansion Application

Coffin Butte landfill image expansion

Republic Services submitted a Conditional Use Permit application in 2021 seeking to expand the footprint of the landfill and related site improvements.


Land Use Application Process for Quasi-Judicial proceedings

Solid Waste FAQs

Benton County Code, Chapter 23, Solid Waste Management

Benton County Development Code, Chapter 77, Landfill Site Zone

2021 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes for LU-21-047

Image Credit: Hasso Hering

Public hearings on the landfill expansion for Benton County

Public Hearings

Benton County held two public hearings for the landfill expansion application, which were well-attended by the community and included substantial written and oral testimony from the public.

2021 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes for LU-21-047

Planning Commission Denies CUP Application

In December 2021, the Benton County Planning Commission denied Republic Service’s application for a CUP to expand the landfill.

Republic Services Appeals Planning Commission’s Decision

Coffin Butte landfill appeal

Following the Planning Commission’s denial of the CUP application, Republic Services appealed the decision to the Benton County Board of Commissioners.  

Republic Services Withdraws Appeal

In March 2022, Republic Services notified Benton County of its decision to withdraw its appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision. Republic Service’s transmittal letter also indicated that they would be filing a new application for a revised landfill expansion project in the future. 

Situational Assessment – County Engages a Neutral, 3rd Party Facilitator 

Situational Assessment for Coffin Butte landfill

Benton County engaged a neutral, third-party facilitator, to assist the county and stakeholders in identifying and implementing a constructive path forward for the future of solid waste disposal in the Mid-Willamette Valley, including at the Coffin Butte regional landfill. The facilitator issued the final report to the County in July 2022.


Benton County Solid Waste Situational Assessment Report by Oregon Consensus

Benton County Talks Trash (BCTT) Solid Waste Work Group Forms – Subcommittee Work Sessions Follow 

In addition to the BCTT full workgroup, five subcommittees were established and asked to do research, prepare findings, and make recommendations on the following topics:

Estimating the landfill size, capacity and longevity

Clarifying legal issues and reviewing land use law

Determining the status of past land use Conditions of Approval

Improving community education and outreach

Developing Sustainable Materials Management Plan (SMMP)

Additional Resources

BCTT Charter and Bylaws and BCTT workgroup materials

BCTT Work Group and BCTT Subcommittees meeting recordings on YouTube

BCTT Final Report Issued

BCTT Final Report April 2023

The BCTT workgroup established, by consensus, “common understandings,” including 124 findings and offered 94 recommendations, for the future of solid waste and materials management in Benton County. 

BCTT Final Report published in April 2023

Sustainable Materials Management Plan (SMMP)

Sustainable Materials Management Plan for Benton County

Following an October 2023 request for proposals for a specialized consulting team, the County selected the firm RRS to provide technical assistance for a regional SMMP later that year. Benton County is currently coordinating with regional partners to capture their perspectives and guidance for the SMMP. A project kickoff meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 2024.


News Post: Benton County Announces Request for Proposals for Sustainable Materials Management Plan, October 2023

News Post: Benton County Embarks on Groundbreaking Regional Sustainability Initiative

Pre-application Conference for Landfill Expansion

June 2024, Benton County and State authorities met with Republic Services for a pre-application conference in preparation for a future land use application. These conferences improve interagency collaboration on complex applications, provide for technical feedback, Q&A, and aim to ensure the applicant submits a complete, future application to the Planning Division.

Land Use Application Process, Quasi-Judicial

Solid Waste FAQs

Fact Sheet: How to Provide Public Testimony on a Land Use Application

Fact Sheet: Planning Commissioner Responsibilities for Quasi-Judicial Decision Making

Fact Sheet: Planning Staff Responsibilities for Quasi-Judicial Decisions

County Code, Chapter 23, Solid Waste Management and Development Code, Chapter 77, Landfill Site Zone

Landfill Expansion Application Received

July 19, 2024 Valley Landfills, Inc. submitted a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill located in Benton County. Click here to view the draft application materials as submitted to the county. 

Once the application is deemed complete, the County’s review process will begin and must be completed within 150 days. During this time, one or more Planning Commission public hearings will be scheduled at the County allowing for the public to provide verbal testimony. Additionally, the public will have the opportunity to provide written testimony during the official public comment period. Check back here in coming weeks for the announcement of these dates, information on how to provide your written testimony, and to register as an interested party to the application.
Additional informational materials:
Land Use Application Process Flow Chart
Quasi-Judicial Land Use Application Process
Solid Waste Management FAQs

Application Deemed Incomplete

On August 16th, 2024, Benton County notified the applicant that the landfill expansion application was deemed incomplete, requiring additional information. Read the County’s news post here.

Anticipated closure of landfill

Anticipated Max Capacity of Landfill Reached

In its 2023 Annual Report, Republic Services estimated that the landfill will reach its maximum capacity in 2037, resulting in the landfill’s closure if an expansion application is not approved.

2023 Annual Report (submitted to Board of Commissioners June 2024)

Example image of a landfill closure, image credit: David Corrigan, Big Island Video News

Benton County Talks Trash (BCTT) Final Report Issued April 2023

Work Group Information

Various stakeholders participated in the BCTT work group, including eight members of the public to be appointed by the Board of Commissioners.

Past Meetings of the Work Group

Latest

More

Subcommittees

These subcommittees met independent from the BCTT work group. Please click on a link below to access information for each subcommittee. 

Past Work Group Report Drafts

Other Information

For more information on Oregon Consensus and the third-party facilitation team, please visit the Institute for Conflict Management – Oregon Consensus.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents are in transition from our old web site.  Please Contact Community Development for assistance.  Thank you for your patience while we update our website to better serve you.

Benton County Solid Waste Assessment Final Report 2022
“Benton County Talks Trash” Workgroup Charter and Bylaws
BCTT 2022-09-08 Agenda (Updated)
BCTT 2022-09-08 Meeting Draft Minutes
BCTT 2022-09-15 Agenda
BCTT 2022-09-15 Meeting Draft Minutes
Republic Landfill Tour MINUTES
BCTT 2022-10-02 Neighborhood Tour Draft Minutes
BCTT 2022-10-06 Working Agenda
Draft Common Understandings – Work Group Report Outline 2022-08-31
BCTT Comments Received as of 2022-09-07 at 11am – Meeting 1
BCTT Workgroup Facilitator’s Initial Observations 2022-09-07
BCTT Workgroup Homework Summary for 2022-09-08 – Meeting 1
Fairgrounds Auditorium Directions
BCTT Meeting #1 Facilitator Presentation
Eklund 2022-09-08 – Common Understandings
Eklund 2022-09-08 – Futures Workshop
Geier 2022-09-03 – History
Geier 2022-09-04 – Site Description
Nietfeld 2022-09-14
Parmigiani 2022-09-03
Pitera 2022-09-06
Whitcombe 2022-09-12
Republic Services 2022-09-14 – Coffin Butte Landfill Fact Sheets
BCTT Meeting #1 Evaluation
BCTT Workgroup Homework Summary for 2022-09-15 – Meeting 2
Draft Report Common Understandings – Table of Contents
Solid Waste Management Plan Table of Contents Review Draft 2022-09-15
Pitera 2022-09-12
BCTT Comments Received as of 9/14/22 at 11am – Meeting 2
Gilbert 9/11/22
Common Understandings Table of Contents TRACK CHANGE INPUT REQUEST
Compliance with Past Land Use Approvals INFORMAL TRIAGING REQUEST
SWMP Combined Table of Contents TRACK CHANGE INPUT REQUEST
Charge C – Scope SMMP and Possible Amendment
Common Understandings TOC Homework Track Changes 2022-09-29 Draft
Compilation of Compliance with Past Land Use Approvals – Homework 2022-09-30 Draft
Member Benton County Solid Waste Process Group Email Chain
SWMP TOC Homework Track Changes 2022-09-29 Draft
Common Understandings Feedback – Republic 2022-09-30
County Counsel Deference Memo 2022-09-26
Republic Landfill Tour – Member Questions
Republic Landfill Tour 2022-10-06 Comments1
Republic Landfill Tour 2022-10-06 Comments2
Republic Landfill Tour 2022-10-06 Comments3
BCTT Neighborhood Tour Draft Minutes 2022-10-05
Staff Memo – Charge B – Dev Code Provisions
Charge B – Clarifying Requirements for Future CUP
BCTT M2 Evaluation
Neighborhood Tour Member Questions
BCTT 2022-10-06 Meeting Draft Minutes
Common Understandings Feedback (Attachment A) – Republic Services 2022-09-30
Landfill Site Life – Republic Services 2022-09-30
DRAFT Report Common Understandings: Solid Waste History (IV.A.1.A)
DRAFT Report Common Understandings: Landfill Size and Development History (IV.A.1.B)
DRAFT Report Common Understandings: Specific Landfill Locations and Cell Size (IV.A.1.C)
DRAFT Report Common Understandings: Reporting requirements (IV.A.1.E)
DRAFT Report Common Understandings: Assumptions (IV.A.1.F)
DRAFT Report Common Understandings: Economics (IV.A.1.G)
DRAFT Report Common Understandings: Republic Services and Benton County’s Current Rights and Obligations (IV.A.2)
DRAFT Report Common Understandings: Other Entity Rights and Obligations (IV.A.3)
BCTT Tours QA 2022-10-30
Palmer 2022-10-25 – Landfill Liability Article
Fuller – 2022-10-26 – Coffin Butte Landfill “Burn Dump” Clean Closure Work Plan
Rough – 10/28/22 – Landfill Cell Drawing
Geier – 2022-10-06 – Recycle Office Tower Article
Geier – 2022-10-11 – BCTT Neighborhood Tour Questions
Pitera – 2022-10-15 – Suggested Additions to Common Understandings
Gilbert – 2022-10-09 – Landfill Service Life, Size, Capacity, Longevity
Eklund – 2022-10-06 – Common Understandings
Nietfeld – 2022-10-24 – Memo to Subcommittee A1
Gilbert – 2022-10-03 – Relative Path Forward
Pitera – 2022-09-21 – Example Explanatory Cartoon of a Landfill
Deuel – 2022-09-21 – SWAC Work Group Recommendation
Popp – 2022-09-08 – Coffin Butte historical figures over time
Pitera – 2022-09-22 – Coffin Butte Landfill Tour Notes
Geier – 2022-10-02 – Neighborhood Tour Guide
Pitera – 2022-10-04 – Neighborhood Tour Notes
Gilbert – 2022-09-30 – Synchronization of Solid Waste Disposal and Alternative Path Forward
Gilbert – 2022-10-31 – Landfill Service Life, Size, Capacity, Longevity Memo to A.1. for 11/7 Meeting
Fuller – 2022-11-03 – Regional Disposal Site Statutes
Gilbert – 2022-11-06 – Update Draft BCTT Sub-Committee A1 Size Cap Longevity
Legal & Land Use Subcommittee Report Word
Legal & Land Use Subcommittee Report
Legal Issues & Land Use Review subcommittee – master working document v2 (Word)
Legal Issues & Land Use Review subcommittee – master working document v2
Ambiguous Terms and Deference to Local Interpretation
Nietfeld – 2022-11-08 – Information for A.1 Subcommittee meeting of 9 Nov. 2022
Gilbert – 2022-11-10 – Questions for the Open House
Fuller – 2022-11-14 – DEQ Permits for the Coffin Butte Landfill
Workplan – 2022-11-17 Revision
Nietfeld – 2022-11-27 – Landfill CUP Process Suggestions
Popp – 2022-12-08 – Spreadsheets regarding Coffin Butte Waste Stream over time and county contributions
BCTT Draft Workplan – Weekly Gantt Chart – 2022-12-13
BCTT Draft Workplan Calendar – 2022-12-13
BCTT Draft Workplan – Weekly Gantt Chart – 2022-12-20
Key Dates – 2022-12-20
BCTT Workgroup Report – Draft #1 – 2023-01-03 (PDF)
BCTT Workgroup Report – Draft #1 – 2023-01-23 (Word Document)
BCTT Workgroup Report – Draft #3 – 2023-01-25 (PDF)
BCTT Informal Member Survey – 2023-01-12
History Doc 2023-01-31 at 11am
Planning Commissioner’s Informal Discussion Comments on Draft Three – Updated 2023-02-15
SWAC/DSAC Chair Interpretation of Individual Member Feedback on Draft #3
2023-02-08 BCTT Review Meeting Transcript
Geier – BCTT Final Report Draft 3 Feedback (SWAC/DSAC Member Feedback)
BCTT Workplan Calendar Update – 2023-02-19
BCTT Workplan Calendar Update – 2023-03-01
Draft 5 – Without Appendices – 2023-03-15
Kleinman Letter Declining to be on Legal Subcommittee
Draft 6 – With Revisions – 2023-03-21
BCTT Workplan Calendar Update – 2023-03-29
BCTT Final Report – 2023-04-11

Back to top