CORVALLIS, Ore. – Republic Services, parent company of Valley Landfills Inc., continues to work toward Completion on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for its Coffin Butte landfill. Company representatives met this week with planning officials from Benton County to discuss the application.

Republic first submitted the CUP application to Benton County on July 19, 2024. In reviewing it, the Planning Division of Benton County Community Development determined that more detailed technical reports and a broader spatial analysis were required to assess the existing conditions and potential impacts of landfill operations. The application was deemed Incomplete.

A revised application was submitted on Oct. 30, 2024. It contains substantial additional information, but some points still require clarification. The County and Republic Services came together in a virtual Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, to discuss additional narrative detail to support the application.

The County believes Completeness will be reached within the 180 days from initial application date that are provided by Benton County Code 51.535. See the timeline below for more information.

Application Timeline

July 19, 2024
Republic Services submits a CUP application, starting the clock on the 180 days allowed to reach Complete status by Benton County Code 51.535. This sets the ultimate deadline for a Complete application as Jan. 15, 2025.

After submission, Benton County has 30 days to respond to the applicant.

Aug. 16, 2024
After careful review by the Benton County Planning Division and an independent consultant, the County sends an Incompleteness Letter to Republic Services. It explains the deficiencies in the application.

Oct. 30, 2024 
Republic Services submits a revised CUP that contains substantial additional information, including technical reports and analysis.

Dec. 11, 2024 
After careful review by the Benton County Planning Division and an independent consultant, the County meets with Republic Services through Zoom to discuss the application, requesting additional narrative detail about some of the exhibits submitted.

Jan. 15, 2025 
Deadline for Republic Services to supply the requested information to Benton County in order to satisfy application requirements.

If the application is deemed Complete, the County will provide a timeline of the process for review, public input, and application consideration. Complete applications go before the Benton County Planning Commission — an appointed body that approves how landowners use their property and advises County officials on complex decisions.

If the application is still Incomplete on this date, Republic Services will have to start over with an entirely new application.

What is a Conditional Use Permit?

A Conditional Use Permit requires discretionary approval from a municipality. It is a zoning exception that allows property to be used in a way not typically permitted within the designated zone. This permit ensures that proposed developments align with the community’s zoning regulations and land use plan.

The CUP requested by Republic Services would allow the company to build additional landfill cells on land the company owns. Modern landfills are divided into multiple cells within the larger landfill property. The “working face” of the Coffin Butte landfill – the actual area where waste is being disposed – is less than ½ acre at any given time. As a cell fills it is capped, and the working face moves to a new cell.

Unrelated to the CUP application, Republic applied to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to renew an air quality permit. This permit sets a limit on the output of greenhouse gasses – like carbon dioxide and methane – that are allowed. A virtual public hearing about the proposed renewal of the Title V air permit will be held on Jan. 6, 2025 (Please note: Benton County has been informed that the public hearing is being postponed from Dec. 17, 2024, but as of this writing the DEQ website has not yet been updated to reflect the change).

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Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Anne Thwaits at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@co.benton.or.us. 

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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Benton County will celebrate and thank Commissioner Xan Augerot next week as she retires at the conclusion of her second term in office. The community is invited to a dessert open house in her honor on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Board of Commissioners/Holmes and Shipley Room at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

Questions and requests for accommodation should be directed to Marriah De La Vega: marriah.delavega@bentoncountyor.gov.

A lifelong Northwesterner, Augerot has lived in Oregon for more than 20 years. She worked as the Executive Director for Marys River Watershed Council and as Vice President of Wild Salmon Center (Portland, Ore.). She has degrees from the University of Washington (economics, marine policy) and Oregon State University (geography). She was the lead author on a first-of-its-kind exploration of the social, cultural, ecological and policy aspects of salmon management, The Atlas of Pacific Salmon.   

Augerot ran for office because she wanted to ensure the environment was protected in the face of population growth. She was elected to the Benton County Board of Commissioners in November 2016 and took office in January 2017. She entered office focused on climate change and the need to ensure the workforce was able to serve an increasingly diverse population, but she quickly found new passions. 

Her portfolio at the County has included health care and public safety; she is also very engaged in housing, climate, equity and water issues. She serves on boards for Benton Community Foundation, Community Services Consortium, Association of Oregon Counties and on the Oregon Youth Development Council. 

“Commissioner Augerot exemplifies what it means to be a public servant, and not just because she is incredibly hardworking,” said County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “One of her greatest strengths is her ability and desire to really listen, to hear and understand every voice. In her time in office she has read every correspondence from community members, listened to every comment, and drawn upon every available resource to solve large and small problems for the people of Benton County.”

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Anne Thwaits at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@co.benton.or.us. 

The Community Health Centers of Benton and Linn Counties (CHC) is honored to be one of the recipients of the Biden-Harris Administration’s $52 million federal grant initiative aimed at improving health outcomes for individuals reentering communities after incarceration. This transformative funding, announced by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), underscores a commitment to providing justice-involved individuals with the critical care and support they need to reintegrate successfully into communities.  

In total, 54 awards were distributed across the United States. Three health centers in Oregon were selected: Benton/Linn, Lane, and Multnomah counties. All three are public-entity organizations, with ties to local government structures, relationships, and resources. All awarded centers will explore innovative approaches to enhance community integration, primary care access, and support systems for individuals navigating justice spaces, health care systems, and community resources. 

Addressing Critical Health Needs During Reentry 

The transition from incarceration back into community is marked by heightened health risks, including chronic disease management challenges, mental health needs, substance use disorders, and increased risk of opioid overdose. This funding will empower CHC of Benton and Linn Counties to: 

• Provide comprehensive care to individuals prior to their release from incarceration, ensuring continuity of care.
• Offer case management services to address social determinants of health, such as housing, transportation, and food security.
• Collaborate with community partners to create seamless connections between healthcare and social support systems.

“This award aligns with our mission to serve all populations in Benton and Linn Counties with access to high quality care,” said Lacey Mollel, Executive Director at CHC of Benton and Linn Counties. “By integrating primary care with justice-informed services, we aim to reduce health disparities and foster healthier, more stable communities.” 

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About Community Health Centers of Benton and Linn Counties 

The Community Health Centers of Benton and Linn Counties provide accessible, patient-centered primary care to anyone in need of care in the region. With a focus on prevention and health equity, the CHC delivers comprehensive services that include medical, dental, behavioral health, and support services to improve the well-being of all residents. 

To learn more about this initiative or CHC of Benton and Linn Counties, visit www.bentonlinnhealthcenters.org.

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Anne Thwaits at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@co.benton.or.us.