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Commissioners weigh Libby port, Eureka landfill and old sawmill as potential biomass sites
Summary
County and HDR discussed site candidates for a biomass facility — the Port site (noted for substation access and available acreage), landfill parcels in Libby and Eureka, and an old sawmill on Pat Stokes’s property — and highlighted utilities, transmission, water rights and footprint constraints.
HDR and county officials spent much of the session assessing potential plant locations in Libby and Eureka, focusing on power availability, acreage and proximity to existing waste stockpiles.
Participants flagged the Port site in Libby for its existing substation and the 74.78 acres currently held for fiber-industry use, noting a corner footprint might suffice and that the port already has city water and sewer connections. Commissioners also discussed county-owned landfill parcels and a 25-acre parcel between the Eureka landfill and the road department as practical sites because of industrial zoning and adjacent three-phase power.
An old sawmill property owned by Pat Stokes was raised as another option; Stokes was reported to be open to discussing the site. HDR emphasized that footprint needs will depend heavily on whether preprocessing (shredding/palletizing) occurs on-site; HDR suggested small-site footprints could be in the 5–10 acre range while larger storage and turnover needs could increase acreage requirements.
The group agreed to produce aerial maps and site-boundary proposals and to schedule on-site visits next month to clarify exact acreage, utility tie-in points, and water availability. Action items include county staff providing aerials and HDR preparing site vetting criteria.
