Coffin Butte Landfill Spurs Bill from Corvallis State Rep. Finger-McDonald

First term Corvallis State Rep. Sarah Finger McDonald says one of her top priorities this legislative session is addressing the Coffin Butte Landfill.

Campaigning for office, Finger McDonald said she would support a moratorium on expansions of landfills until there is a better understanding of their impacts. She is now proposing  House Bill  3794, which stops short of a moratorium, but would set up a task force to study those impacts and possibly make some recommendations.

“Benton County only contributes 6% of the waste that is buried in our community. My Task Force is aimed at ensuring we do not remain the dumping ground for greater Willamette Valley, once Coffin Butte reaches the end of its life in the next decade. We need to start planning for what comes next, right now,” said Finger McDonald in release.

The state readout of the bill says it would establish a Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley and direct the task force to submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the environment no later than December 15, 2026.

However, Benton County’s planning officials say they will decide on Coffin Butte’s expansion this year, on June 17.

Public hearing set

Finger McDonald has sent out an invitation to constituents to join her at the House Committee on Climate, Energy, & Environment meeting to advocate in support of the bill.

“This is your opportunity to make your concerns heard. We know Coffin Butte has caused issues in our community, and we acknowledge the burden our district has faced. This is our next step in planning for the future, coordinating solutions for our MSW, and building a better system of waste management,” said Finger McDonald.

She is also asking for written testimony, which can be submitted by clicking  here.  The hearing is slated for 8 am, Tuesday, April.

Coffin Butte’s Reach

Finger McDonald cited a number of statistics surrounding the landfill in a recent release:

• The landfill sits on 178 acres permitted for waste disposal. That’s over 134 football fields!!
• 859,205 residents of Oregon, orover 20% of the population uses Coffin Butte. 
• It produced 40 million gallons of PFAS containing Leachate in 2024!
• Coffin Butte accepts 1 million tons of waste per year.
• 9 Counties are major users:
  • Lincoln County– 100& of annual municipal solid waste.
  • Tillamook County– 100% of annual municipal solid waste.
  • Polk County– 100% of annual municipal solid waste.
  • Benton County– 100% of annual municipal solid waste.
  • YamhillCounty – 82.5% of annual municipal solid waste.
  • MarionCounty – 66% of annual municipal solid waste.
  • ClackamasCounty – 22% of annual municipal solid waste.
  • WashingtonCounty – 16.3% of annual MSW

By Mike Suarez