Residents oppose landfill expansion citing odor concerns in Corvallis

The Benton County government meeting on May 7, 2025, focused on the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for the expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill by Republic Services. The meeting featured public testimony from residents concerned about the potential impacts of the landfill expansion, particularly regarding odor and environmental health.

The session began with a resident detailing their experiences with landfill odors, noting that they only report severe smells to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). They expressed frustration over a previous DEQ investigation that failed to acknowledge the odors, despite the presence of a dead skunk nearby. The resident highlighted the importance of accurate odor detection, mentioning that their sensory experiences differ from official assessments. They urged the county to deny the CUP based on their observations of odor dispersion linked to landfill operations.

Following this testimony, Julia Bradshaw, a resident living approximately 2.5 miles from the landfill, voiced her opposition to the expansion. She acknowledged the contributions of local environmental advocates and criticized the analysis presented by a representative from Republic Services. Bradshaw noted that while odors are not constant, they do occur under specific weather conditions. She called for a systematic approach to collecting and addressing odor complaints, emphasizing the need for transparency in monitoring.

Bradshaw also raised concerns about litter along the roads leading to the landfill, which she observed while cycling in the area. She pointed out that trash accumulation seemed to correlate with the direction of landfill truck traffic. Additionally, she criticized the visual impact of the landfill, which currently rises over 700 feet, questioning the feasibility of proposed mitigation measures.

In her closing remarks, Bradshaw requested clarification on why the city of Albany, which is closer to the landfill, had not been consulted in the permit process. She also advocated for public access to daily odor monitoring records to ensure accountability and transparency regarding the landfill's environmental impact.

The meeting underscored the community's apprehensions about the landfill expansion, with residents calling for more rigorous oversight and consideration of their concerns. The discussions highlighted the ongoing tension between waste management operations and local environmental health, setting the stage for further deliberations on the CUP application.