Public works staff asked commissioners whether Cowlitz County should provide a letter of support for a Pacific County Public Utility District (PUD) grant application to study shallow-anchor systems for solar installations on landfill slopes. The board agreed to consider a nondispositive letter of support that would not commit the county to development.

Staff said PUD representatives are applying for grant funding to research better support systems for solar arrays on shallow ground, such as the southern slopes at the Tenant Way landfill, where the cover system provides only about one to two feet of soil before a synthetic liner. "At that time, it wasn't great. We don't have a lot of dirt for the anchor system to go into. It's only, you know, a foot to two foot available before you get to the cover system," a public works presenter said.

The presenter said the PUD requested a letter of support for the study and that the request would not commit the county to any future project or lease: "It's so what they're applying for is just a study to see how it can be done better. And if, no commitment to the county to say, yes. We're doing this, but just sharing access and information at this point." Several commissioners said they were comfortable with a letter as long as it did not bind the county. One commissioner recalled a prior instance in which preliminary approvals had felt binding and urged caution; staff said they had checked with planning staff and confirmed the study request would not commit the county to future action.

Commissioners asked practical questions about the landfill cover and whether anchors or concrete caps could be used; staff said the cover includes a waterproof synthetic liner and that soil on top is porous. Staff said they would confirm language and ensure the study did not name the county or otherwise create unintended obligations if the board chose to issue a letter of support.

No formal vote was recorded; staff said they will draft a letter for board review and will bring the item back before any next step that could create commitments.