Public raises concerns over Portland Harbor dredging and potential landfill destinations; county says Wasco Landfill not certified for high‑level toxic waste

A member of the public and Wasco County commissioners discussed concerns about dredged material from Portland Harbor during the public‑comment period on Sept. 17.

Roger Nichols, speaking during public comment, described an upcoming auction (separate item) and then commissioners raised a different public comment topic: a meeting in Portland about dredging contaminated material — including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) — from the harbor and where separated wastes might be sent for disposal.

A commissioner who attended a Portland meeting reported there are three potential landfill destinations and several transport modes under consideration, including barge to river docks, then truck transport to local landfills, rail to the Arlington landfill or truck transport. The commissioner explicitly stated that the Wasco County Landfill is not certified to receive high‑level toxic waste and therefore would not accept such material. That commissioner said only about 7% of the material is expected to be high‑level contaminated material; lower‑level materials are under review for disposal options.

The commissioner said the process remains at a public‑input stage and that county officials had raised safety concerns about hauling routes, including school bus routes near Highway 197 and the Five Mile intersection. The official encouraged continued public monitoring and said they would keep the community informed as the process proceeds.

No formal county action was taken at the meeting on Sept. 17; the topic was raised as public comment and informational update.