DSAC approves 2023 community concerns report; committee to address recent mailer alleging leachate dumping

The Disposal Site Advisory Committee approved its 2023 Community Concerns Report — a compilation of complaints and comments compiled from Republic Services, DEQ and county records — and discussed ways to improve clarity for commissioners and the public.

Committee members said the report is useful but recommended an expanded executive summary or a pie‑chart breakdown with a short paragraph for each category (for example, odor, litter, traffic) so county commissioners can more easily digest concerns without reading the full spreadsheet. Bailey Payne, committee staff, noted the report is prepared for DEQ and the commissioners and that she already tracks article coverage separately.

Committee members also discussed the provenance of complaint spikes in 2023; some members observed that complaint volume rose after the expansion proposal was announced and that some 2023 items came from repeated testimony at community events. Staff said complaint‑reporting mechanisms (DEQ phone line, county intake, and a new Republic website form) existed prior to the expansion filing; Republic staff said they have increased litter patrols and other mitigation measures.

Separately, members raised a mailer circulated in the community alleging that millions of gallons of “leachate” are dumped directly into the Willamette River. Members said the claim creates public confusion. Several committee members noted that leachate from Coffin Butte is sent to wastewater treatment plants and then treated under publicly permitted processes before discharge; the committee agreed the claim needed an on‑the‑record discussion. A member asked that the next meeting include a specific agenda item to clarify pathways, treatment and controls for leachate and any related PFAS questions.

The committee discussed operationalizing public‑comment handling: options included monthly summaries of incoming community concerns in the meeting packet and a standing item to review recent complaints at each meeting. Members also supported using the communications subcommittee (recently formed) to seek documents such as copies of EPA letters or inspection reports and to follow up with congressional offices where appropriate.

Ending: DSAC approved the 2023 community concerns report as presented and set a plan to examine complaint tracking, improve executive summaries for commissioners and add a next‑meeting agenda item to address the mailer’s leachate claims and public questions about leachate handling and PFAS.