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Draft interlocal agreement would let Metro haul to Cowlitz landfills during emergencies; commissioners to consider formal approval
Summary
Public Works presented a third-iteration interlocal agreement that would let Portland Metro haul solid waste to Cowlitz County landfills during emergency closures of I‑84; staff asked permission to forward a signed draft for board consideration.
Public Works staff presented a draft interlocal agreement with Metro (Portland) that would allow Metro to haul solid waste to Cowlitz County landfill facilities when Metro’s transfer stations are inaccessible during emergency events such as road closures. The draft presented to commissioners was described as a third iteration of an agreement first used after the Eagle Creek fires in 2017.
Sean Realy, Public Works, said the agreement has been used sporadically: for example, 17 Metro trucks came through in 2022, and there were larger periods of use during significant weather or fire events in prior years. Staff emphasized the arrangement is an emergency contingency that is rarely used but valuable for regional cooperation when transfer stations are unavailable.
Staff proposed moving the interlocal agreement forward and returning a signed copy to the board for formal consideration at a Tuesday board meeting. Commissioners gave preliminary agreement to proceed to the next step.
Ending: Staff will prepare the interlocal agreement for a future consent or action item so the board can formally consider and, if desired, approve the arrangement.
