Cowlitz County OKs $400,000 amendment for landfill Cell 10 design; public raises transfer-station congestion

The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved Amendment No. 1 to a professional services agreement with BHC Consultants LLC, increasing the solid-waste engineering contract by $400,000 to a total of $1,000,000 to complete engineering and design for landfill Cell 10.

County public works staff said the amendment covers geologists, hydrologists, civil engineering, gas infrastructure and stormwater work needed to design the liner system and related systems for Cell 10. "This is just the design for the liner system itself at the landfill," said Sean Roehrige, public works staff, during the presentation. Commissioners voted in favor of the amendment.

The board was told staff expects to receive final design and permits in November or December 2025 and to issue a materials procurement bid in December or January; construction is anticipated in 2026, with the county likely moving into Cell 10 in late 2027. Staff said permits generally carry a two‑year timeline with the ability to extend if needed.

County figures supplied during the meeting describe Cell 10 as roughly 16.79 acres with an approximate capacity of 3,700,000 cubic yards and an estimated operational life of about four and three‑quarters…