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County extends fish‑and‑wildlife access agreement, funds landfill flare testing and to monitor state landfill permit bill
Summary
Public Works recommended extending a maintenance agreement with Fish and Wildlife for Kerr Road at Silver Lake, adding $100,000 to an energy‑services contract for landfill flare testing and greenhouse‑gas verification, and sought permission to respond to a proposed state bill expanding Ecology’s permit authority.
Cowlitz County Public Works staff told commissioners the county will extend an operations and maintenance agreement with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Kerr Road public access area on Silver Lake and recommended a contract amendment to continue landfill flare testing and greenhouse‑gas verification work.
Public Works said the Kerr Road site is state property and the county’s role is day‑to‑day maintenance; the recommended extension keeps that arrangement in place for 10 more years to preserve public boat‑launch access. County staff agreed to ask Fish and Wildlife whether additional parking or other improvements are planned and to report back.
Public Works also described an amendment (Amendment No. 3) to a professional services agreement with Energy Nearing Solutions that adds $100,000, bringing the total contract to $450,000. Staff said roughly $75,000 of the increase covers required source testing of landfill flares (a five‑year testing schedule) and the remainder pays for continuing greenhouse‑gas reporting and third‑party verification required by the state Climate Commitment Act for 2024.
Separately, county solid‑waste staff asked the board’s permission to participate in a regional advocacy response to draft state legislation (referred to in discussion as a Senate bill that would give the Department of Ecology broader authority over landfill permits). Staff said the bill would require Ecology to approve landfill permits before the jurisdictional health department issues renewals and could authorize Ecology to suspend permits and levy civil penalties without a local request. Staff asked for permission to draft letters and to testify through the county’s legislative group (WASAC); commissioners agreed staff should pursue outreach and prepare letters asking that Ecology act only at a local department’s request in cases where local health departments seek help.
“Our preference would be the ability for Ecology to come in if the health department requests it, not an override,” county staff said.
No formal roll‑call vote on the contract amendment or the Fish and Wildlife extension was recorded in the transcript; staff indicated they would return with details and any necessary documents for signatures.
