Wyden, Merkley, Hoyle call for EPA investigation into Coffin Butte Landfill

Coffin Butte Landfill under scrutiny

Introduction

Members of Oregon’s congressional delegation are calling for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to complete an investigation into concerns about Coffin Butte Landfill, north of Corvallis.

“This 178-acre landfill accepts over 1 million tons of waste annually from nearly two dozen Oregon counties and southwest Washington,” U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle wrote in an Aug. 7 letter to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

“Surrounding communities have long been concerned about methane leakage that contributes to fire risk and climate change, strong odors, and ultimately jeopardizes worker safety and public health,” they wrote.

Merkley also has submitted an appropriations request for fiscal year 2025 that would fund a pilot project to monitor methane at Coffin Butte, according to Sophia Francia, a field representative for Merkley’s office.

Landfill Details

The landfill, near Adair, takes more than half of Marion County’s municipal solid waste. Benton, Polk and Lane counties also send waste to the landfill. It’s owned by Phoenix-based Republic Services, the second-largest waste disposal company in the U.S.

In October 2023, the Statesman Journal was the first to report on an EPA investigation into massive methane leaks at the landfill. In April 2024, the Statesman Journal published an investigation into worker complaints about health, safety and environmental violations at the landfill.

Methane Leaks at Coffin Butte Landfill

In October 2023, the Statesman Journal reported a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency inspection found the landfill was leaking methane at levels that exceed state and federal limits and what the landfill had publicly reported.

EPA measured methane exceeding regulatory limits 61 times during its June 2022 inspection of the landfill. Twenty-one of those exceedances measured at more than 10,000 parts per million, or 20 times the 500 ppm limit set by Oregon and the EPA.

In addition to contributing to climate change, the levels measured could cause health problems for neighbors and in some cases were high enough to potentially cause an explosion and fire, said Lisa Arkin, of the Eugene-based environmental group Beyond Toxics.

EPA officials told the Statesman Journal in April that the case still was open and likely would result in a negotiated settlement requiring changes at the landfill.

Safety Concerns at Coffin Butte Landfill

In April 2024, the Statesman Journal reported on landfill worker complaints around air and water quality and exposure to dangerous waste.

Oregon OSHA has completed two investigations into the complaints and cited the company for three “serious” violations and one “other than serious” violation.

The violations include not evaluating employee respiratory hazards, not providing proper safety training, not ensuring floors are dry and not preventing fall hazards.

The state agency recommended Coffin Butte address additional hazards workers complained about, warning that the company could be cited and fined for the items in future inspections.

Benton County Commission Concerns

Benton County commissioners are concerned about the methane leaks, water quality issues, and worker safety, chairwoman Xan Augerot told the Statesman Journal on Thursday.

However, commissioners don’t have authority over most of those issues, Augerot said.

“We’re really grateful to Senators Merkley and Wyden and Congresswoman Hoyle for elevating the issue with EPA administrator Regan,” Augerot said. “We’ll see whether that helps.”

Coffin Butte Landfill Expansion Plans

Coffin Butte’s proposed expansion is 50% smaller than proposed in 2021 and would take place entirely on land owned by Coffin Butte and zoned for a landfill. It would add six years of life to the landfill, about half of what was requested in 2021.

Company officials say there is less than one year of space left in the cell currently being used for disposal.

The proposal would improve, rather than close, Coffin Butte Road. That was a point of contention during the previous proposal, with neighbors saying the road could be their only escape route in the event of fire or other natural disaster.

The company also plans to expand into a bordering quarry, which would add another 11 years, but that space is not yet ready, officials said.

Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips:tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at@Tracy_Loew

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• SDG 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• Indicator for SDG 6.3: Proportion of wastewater safely treated.
• Indicator for SDG 11.6: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5) in cities.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of integrated policies, strategies, or planning frameworks for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Indicator for SDG 15.9: Extent of use of ecosystem and biodiversity values in national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: statesmanjournal.com