Cowlitz County approves $1 million amendment for landfill Cell 10 design

Cowlitz County commissioners on Tuesday approved Amendment No. 1 to a professional services agreement with BHC Consultants LLC, increasing the contract by $400,000 to a total of $1,000,000 to complete engineering and design for Cell 10 at the county landfill, county staff said.

County public works staff told commissioners the amendment covers design and engineering work — geotechnical, hydrogeologic, civil design, gas infrastructure and stormwater planning — needed to prepare Cell 10 for construction and permitting. "This amendment is for the construction of Cell 10 engineering and design," said Sean Riley, Public Works.

The amendment covers design work for the liner system at Cell 10. County staff said they expect to receive final design and permit approvals in November or December so the county can bid early for materials; some speakers said material procurement and construction work must be done in dry conditions. "This is just the design for the liner system itself at the landfill," Riley said.

Staff provided several technical details during questions from commissioners. Cell 10 is about 16.79 acres with a volume of roughly 3,700,000 cubic yards, and staff estimated an expected useful life of about four and three-quarters years under current waste-stream assumptions. Riley and other staff said that life estimate depends on the mix and compaction of incoming material and that interior cells generally last longer than exterior cells because of fill geometry.

Permit timelines were described as having typical two-year durations with the ability to extend. Staff said they currently anticipate construction in 2026 and would likely move into the cell in late 2027; if permits lapse beyond their term, the county would need to reapply. County staff also described standard landfill practice for budgeting design costs: roughly 15% of construction costs for preconstruction engineering and another roughly 10% during construction for inspection and testing.

Public comment during the meeting raised operational concerns at the county transfer station, including backups of commercial trucks and vehicles trying to enter the facility. A resident asked why the county did not make greater use of the Tenant Way facility; staff replied that the Tenant Way buildings and dump site were sold to the Port of Longview and that the county no longer controls that site. Staff also said the county's contract with Waste Control runs through 2044.

Commissioner motioned to approve the amendment as presented by staff; commissioners voted by voice and the motion carried. "Move to approve Amendment No. 1, professional services agreement with BHC Consultants LLC as presented by staff," the motion read. The board approved the amendment by voice vote.

The amendment does not award construction contracts; it increases engineering and design authorization to complete permit applications and bid documents. Work described by staff includes drilling and geotechnical investigation, liner and gas-collection system design, temporary stormwater controls during construction and phasing to interface Cell 10 with adjacent cells.

The county will return to bid for construction once permits and final design are complete. Staff said they expect to solicit construction bids in late 2025 or early 2026, contingent on permitting and dry conditions for installation.

The commission approved the amendment after questions about scope, schedule and cost. The board did not specify additional funding sources at the time of the vote.