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Landfill faces new methane monitoring rules and recycling changes; county budget includes equipment and planning
Summary
Landfill staff told the budget committee that new state methane‑monitoring guidance and the Recycling Modernization Act will require capital work and operational changes; the proposed FY2026 budget includes capital and planning funds and a reserve to meet new requirements.
Crook County landfill staff told the Budget Committee they are preparing for new state testing methods for methane emissions and the rollout of Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act (RMA). The proposed FY2026 budget includes capital outlay and operational appropriations to address these regulatory changes and ongoing site needs.
Why it matters: New monitoring expectations and expanded statewide recycling programs will raise operating complexity and cost for local landfills. County staff said the landfill has passed the required quarterly tests to avoid mandatory methane collection so far, but state guidance is evolving and may require drones, satellite monitoring or other methods that could raise costs.
Landfill Manager Jackie Davis told the committee that the county passed the recent quarterly surface‑emissions tests required under new state rules, which allowed the landfill to avoid installing an expensive methane collection system for now. The landfill includes funding in the proposed budget for capital work, equipment replacement and a contingency. Davis also described operational changes after a local land‑application vendor sold their ranch and the county arranged interim agreements with other septic and wastewater contractors to manage biosolids.
The county is budgeting for RMA compliance that takes effect July 1 and expects to submit reimbursement requests for eligible expenses. That effort may require at least one new hire or a redefined recycling technician role and new containers and infrastructure; Davis said the landfill will seek available reimbursement but that state funding and vendor agreements are still in flux.
Status and next steps: The landfill fund proposed appropriation supports 9.5 FTE and includes capital allocations for equipment replacement and site improvements. Staff said they are working with their engineering firm on monitoring plans and will watch how state testing methods evolve. Committee members requested staff continue to track grant and reimbursement availability and to bring updates to the follow-up meeting this fall.
Quote: "This mandates improved monitoring methods of methane emissions, done by drones, satellites, or airplanes," Davis said of recent state guidance, adding the county’s consultants have not yet settled on a standardized approach.
