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Regional materials‑management push gains momentum; Benton County secures facilitator and refines membership
Summary
Benton County staff reported outreach across 13 counties for a regional sustainable materials management task force, secured a facilitator (Liz Start), and proposed a 20–25 member steering group to produce a waste‑management map and options by June when current funding ends.
County staff on Sept. 17 told commissioners the Sustainable Materials Management Plan task force has completed initial outreach to 13 counties in the northwest Oregon region and secured a third‑party facilitator to lead a regional kickoff next month.
Sean McGuire, briefing the board, said consultants and a facilitator (identified as Liz/Elizabeth Start in the packet) will help the multi‑county effort deliver two primary products: a regional waste‑management map and a set of benefits/opportunities for improved materials management. Staff emphasized that the project is regional in scope and not solely focused on Coffin Butte landfill operations.
Commissioners discussed membership balance—local government representatives, industry experts, equity and environmental voices, and innovators from other jurisdictions—and the project’s short funding window (current funding runs through June). Staff said they will prioritize a manageable core membership (20–25) to achieve deliverables and keep the door open for broader input.
Commissioners supported the approach and suggested ensuring local representation, equity perspectives, and some elected or staff overlap to help carry technical findings into policy channels.
