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Republic Services presents Coffin Butte expansion; residents and experts raise health and environment concerns
Summary
Republic Services told the Albany City Council on Sept. 24 that a proposed, smaller expansion of Coffin Butte Landfill would extend regional disposal capacity by roughly seven years and fund local programs; residents, physicians and an environmental engineer urged caution, citing PFAS, leachate, methane and unanswered monitoring questions.
Republic Services representatives presented details of a proposed expansion of Coffin Butte Landfill and answered questions from Albany City Councilors on Sept. 24, while multiple residents and experts urged the council to withhold a formal position until Benton County completes its review.
The presentation emphasized operational controls, habitat conservation and local economic benefits. Paul Coster, environmental manager for Coffin Butte and Republic Services, said the site includes “about a 560‑acre conservation area” dedicated to Oregon white oak habitat and that “we have 35 groundwater monitoring wells that we monitor, and they meet all drinking water standards.” Julie Jackson, Republic Services municipal manager, described the company’s regional recycling and renewable‑energy work and said the expansion request had been cut in half after public feedback.
The debate matters because Coffin Butte serves as a regional disposal facility for parts of western Oregon and contributes host fees and other revenue to Benton County. Republic Services’ presentation said the proposed expansion would not close Coffin Butte Road, would reduce the previously…
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