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Something is Rotten in Yamhill County

Now is your chance to let DEQ know about all of the times you have smelled the landfill and where!

What:--DEQ-Mandated Community Meeting regarding Riverbend Landfill Air Quality (smell)
When-October 26th, 5:30 PM
Where: McMinnvile St. Center
WHY:  this is the perfect opportunity for people to let the mgt, of Riverbend Landfill know that the smell is worse than ever. Come speak Truth to Garbage

Cafe Uncorked & Waste Not Benefit Dinner

The Worst Land Use Decision in the History of Yamhill County

September 8, 2011
Waste Not of Yamhill County was gratified by the 5-3 vote of the Yamhill County Planning Commission on September 1, 2011 against acceptance of the proposed Amendment to the Yamhill County Zoning Ordinance to allow landfills on EFU (Exclusive Farm Use) land in Yamhill County. Waste Not agrees with the statement made  by Planning Commissioner Polite during the 9/1 deliberations: "if enacted, this will be the worst land use decision in the history of Yamhill County".  Today that came true.  

With their vote of 2-0 in favor of the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment, Commissioners Lewis and George chose to ignore the vote of the Planning Commissioners and once again overruled them. The broad coalition of community residents, businesses and organizations, as well as Waste Not of Yamhill County, who strongly opposed the change to the Zoning Ordinance, are deeply disappointed with this outcome.
 
If, as stated, the Commissioners' rationale in support of the amendment was to allow for development of alternative technology for municipal solid waste disposal in Yamhill County, the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance could have been written to apply to the development of alternative technology only on EFU land rather than, as it does now, provide an avenue for the expansion 
of the existing landfill.

Waste Managment Inc., Riverbend's parent company, has no incentive to bring alternative technology for municipal solidwaste disposal to Yamhill County as long as landfilling remains their most profitable choice.

Protect Our Farmland

Dear Neighbors, Friends, and Supporters:

Three years ago we worked together to prevent expansion of Riverbend Landfill, the largest landfill west of the Cascades. And, thanks to your help, we won! Now, Waste Management, Inc. and Yamhill County are back with a new plan to expand the landfill that will put more than 10,000 acres of productive farm land at risk. We need your support now more than ever! Your donation will help. Donation information is included in the right bar. Time is of the essence. Thanks!

The Yamhill County Commissioners intend to change the County’s Zoning Ordinance to allow Riverbend Landfill to expand onto a potentially unlimited stretch of high-value farmland, so long as the farmland is adjacent to the dump. There are more than 10,000 acres of EFU land in just the five square miles around the landfill. Under the County's proposal, the landfill could stretch from McMinnville to Sheridan and beyond. Yamhill County is literally giving away the farm.

Round Two of the legal battle has begun. We have retained the same expert legal team that helped us win Round One. Legal fees will be substantial. Therefore, we need to ask for your help again to prevent this environmental and economic disaster, which threatens our farms, businesses, property values, tourism, and the very character of our County. How big can a landfill grow? If you don't want to find out, mail your check with the enclosed form today!

No controls. Under the proposed zoning amendment, the landfill will be permitted to grow indefinitely, both out and up, with no limits on the size of the dump, the amount of waste moving across county roads, or the way our garbage is processed.

There are alternatives. Solid waste disposal has changed dramatically in recent years. Many viable and cost-effective alternatives for solid waste disposal are currently in use in other communities. Besides reducing waste, alternatives create jobs. Intensive recycling adds ten jobs for every one landfill job. Yamhill County could be increasing jobs, not losing them!

The County needs to hear from you! The Board of Commissioners and Planning Commission are meeting July 21^st at 7:00 pm in Room 32 of the Courthouse to adopt the proposed Zoning Amendment. Your presence at this meeting is crucial. Come tell the Commissioners to save farmland, not destroy it. Email them at georgek@co.yamhill.or.us & lewisl@co.yamhill.or.us.

Our County has been dumped on enough. Don’t let them "waste" any more of Yamhill County!

Thank YOU! The Stop the Dump Coalition:

the Yamhill County Farm Bureau, Soil & Water Conservation District, Willamette Valley Wineries Association, Willamette Riverkeeper, Waste Not of Yamhill County, and more

Court of Appeals FINAL ORDER: RIverbend Landfill Expansion Denied

Waste Not of Yamhill County and its partners -- Yamhill County residents, businesses, and community organizations -- are pleased to announce that the Court of Appeals has again affirmed the Land Use Board of Appeal's decision reversing the County's approval of the Riverbend Landfill expansion.

The COA elected to amend its original opinion by deleting entirely a confusing sentence that referred to a "remand." The Waste Not Coalition is gratified that the COA has revised its decision to unequivocally uphold LUBA, which had ruled that the goal exception approved by the County was prohibited as a matter of law.

In light of the Court of Appeals’ decision rejecting Riverbend’s application and the three-year timeline for reaching landfill capacity, we call upon the County and Waste Management to work with Yamhill County's citizens and DEQ to develop a new solid waste management plan that secures a promising solid waste future without expanding Riverbend Landfill.

Expansion Map