Lane County commissioners approve three contracts to advance Goshen waste-recovery project

LANE COUNTY, Ore. — The Lane County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 4, approved three contracts to advance the Clean Lane Resource Recovery Facility, a public–private recycling and anaerobic-digestion project planned for Goshen.

Director Dan Hurley of Lane County Waste Management told the board the moves are intended to keep the project on schedule toward construction after years of planning. “We would start on this one also immediately to keep on track for that construction schedule,” Hurley said during the work session.

The board approved: a $354,810 contract with Redpoint Construction Management LLC to serve as the owner’s representative (Order 25012803); a contract with Robertson Sherwood Architects PC to carry design documents toward construction (Order 25012804); and a $187,400 amendment to the existing agreement with Emerging Acquisitions LLC, doing business as Bulk Handling Systems (Order 25012805). Each motion passed on 3–2 votes.

Why it matters: the county says the facility is intended to process mixed recyclables and food waste, produce renewable natural gas and extend the life of the Short Mountain Landfill by roughly 20 years. It is also envisioned as an economic anchor for Goshen; Hurley said the county previously approved up to $35 million in financing for the project and purchased a 26-acre Goshen parcel in 2023 for $1,500,000.

Project status and benefits

Hurley told commissioners the project originated from county recovery goals first set in 2015 and codified with guidance from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The board adopted a solid waste management plan in 2019 and a county climate strategy in 2020; the climate strategy identified the Short Mountain Landfill as the largest local source of county operational greenhouse gas emissions.

The planned facility would sort commingled recyclables, divert food waste to an anaerobic digester to make renewable natural gas (RNG), and sell the gas or otherwise deploy it in the local market. Hurley said the county expects significant greenhouse gas reductions — “decreasing over 88,000 tons of CO2 equivalent” — and projected construction value of roughly $135 million and about $272 million in regional economic activity. The facility’s operating contract with a BHS subsidiary includes a 25-year term and a 20,000-ton annual waste-delivery guarantee, Hurley said.

Permitting, finance and market uncertainties

Multiple commissioners pressed Hurley on remaining land-use approvals, revenue risks and cost escalation. Lane County purchased the Goshen site in 2023; a special use permit was granted by the planning director but six appeals were filed. Hurley said a hearings official hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14, 2025, and any decision could be appealed to the Land Use Board of Appeals.

Commissioner John Farr (first reference uses full name and role) summarized the board’s concerns: the site is purchased but not yet finally permitted. “We do have a project site. We don't have the final approvals to build on that site,” Farr said.

Commissioners also questioned project finances. Hurley said the county set up a Waste Management Division enterprise fund to receive increased tipping fees and reserves for this project, but tonnage into the landfill has declined, reducing expected revenue. “Our revenues are holding flat, because our tonnage is declining,” he said. He added the division has reserves but also other obligations, including landfill maintenance and post-closure care.

Commissioners asked how the county would handle higher-than-expected construction costs. Hurley said additional fee increases, drawing on reserves and further board decisions would be options. He also noted some design increases are already required because agency review — principally the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality — requested additional buffering and stormwater work, which increased the design amendment now before the board.

Contract timing and liquidated damages

Commissioners asked about contract timing, especially a liquidated-damages provision that Hurley said places responsibility for delays on the party at fault. Hurley said the county included $12,000 per day liquidated damages tied to the construction timeline and that some firms may have been deterred from bidding because of that risk. Essex General Construction provided the only bid for the county-side CMGC work; Hurley described Essex as a “very solid company” but acknowledged concern that only one bidder responded.

Board reaction

Commissioner Buck moved each of the three orders; Commissioner Trigger seconded the Redpoint motion and also seconded other motions. Several commissioners voiced support for moving the project forward to preserve schedule and to ensure the county can meet prior contractual obligations and design milestones. Others urged caution; one commissioner said they would not vote for the contracts and asked for a pause pending clearer answers on permits, tonnage and long-term revenues.

Votes at a glance

- Order 25012803: Approve contract with Redpoint Construction Management LLC, owner’s representative; expense amount $354,810. Outcome: approved, 3–2. - Order 25012804: Approve contract with Robertson Sherwood Architects PC for design and construction-administration services; expense amount not specified in the meeting transcript. Outcome: approved, 3–2. - Order 25012805: Approve contract amendment with Emerging Acquisitions LLC (dba Bulk Handling Systems) for design and preconstruction services; expense amount $187,400. Outcome: approved, 3–2.

What’s next

Hurley told the board that if the hearings official affirms the special use permit on Feb. 14 and no appeal or a rapid resolution at LUBA follows, downstream permits (wetlands and building) could proceed in short order. If appeals continue, Hurley and commissioners said they will evaluate options including alternate zoning or other sites, potential additional fee increases, and whether to recruit regional tonnage to make the business plan viable.

Hurley said the county and Bulk Handling Systems are discussing potential offtake or buyers for the renewable natural gas and noted interest from local users such as Lane Transit District, but he said final commercial agreements were still unresolved.

The board adjourned the work session after the votes and moved on to other business.