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County directs RFP to clear massive green-waste stockpile from WUI barrier work
Summary
Facing a growing 20,000–30,000 cubic-yard pile of green waste from fuel-reduction work, Lincoln County commissioners directed staff to issue an RFP to remove the existing stockpile and establish ongoing disposal and processing contracts, while pursuing interim reductions through state price agreements.
Lincoln County commissioners directed staff on Feb. 17 to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) to remove and process a rapidly expanding green-waste stockpile created by the county’s Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) barrier program.
County Manager Jason Burns told commissioners the temporary staging site (referred to as site 220) held an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 cubic yards of material and would continue to grow as the WUI program progressed. He recommended an RFP that would include removal of the current pile to a final destination, unit pricing for ongoing materials, and evaluation criteria addressing environmental compliance and fire-risk mitigation.
Public commenters and technical speakers urged urgency and caution. Universal Waste representative Ernie Byers warned the pile was already heating internally and could become a long-term smoke nuisance: "my heat probes indicated internal temperatures of approximately 140 to 150 degrees," he said, adding the material was beginning to "cook." State Forester Nick Smokovich urged continued fuel-reduction work while keeping an open mind about disposal options.
Commissioners approved direction to issue the RFP and to pursue interim options with current contractors and state price agreements to reduce the pile volume while procurement proceeds. Manager Burns said staff will prioritize environmental compliance and fire-risk mitigation in vendor selection and return to the Commission with a procurement schedule and evaluation criteria.
