Donations Needed Now - For Our Tomorrow

by Susan Watkins

By now you've heard the great news -- the Yamhill County Planning Commission voted 7 to 0 to reject Riverbend Landfill's expansion plan.

This victory demonstrates that we have a real chance to protect:   the South Yamhill River basin and rivers downstream, 129 acres of EFU-80 farmland that would be lost if the landfill expands;  affordable garbage rates, nearly 3000 jobs and more than $20 million in wages contributed annually to Yamhill County by the local wine and tourist industries, and the heart of one of Oregon's most scenic areas and the environment and lifestyle of everyone living in Yamhill County.

The strong message the Planning Commissioners sent to Riverbend and its corporate parent, Waste Management, Inc. of Houston, Texas, will undoubtedly inspire the landfill to significantly increase efforts to persuade our County Commissioners to allow the expansion.  Commissioners Kathy George, Leslie Lewis, and Mary Stern will hear the case on February 12th.  If expansion is approved, thousands of tons of waste will continue to be trucked into our County from Portland Metro, to be buried by our river.

We have an opportunity to stop the landfill's expansion.  With a topnotch, experienced attorney, we can win this complex legal case. 

Our case is strong:  The proposed expansion does not satisfy the legal requirements for an exception to the land use goals of Yamhill County or the State of Oregon.  Far from meeting Yamhill County's legitimate waste disposal needs, expansion will create a mile-long wall of trash, more than twice as high and four times as large as the landfill is today, sited on a riverbank, bordering the most popular tourist route in Oregon, in the middle of an internationally-acclaimed wine region.  We have experts who will tell the Commissioners about modern waste disposal alternatives that make landfills obsolete.

More than ever, we need your financial support.  Please make a donation in whatever amount you can afford to help us win this fight.  It truly is a now or never situation – if the Riverbend application is approved,

We have a good chance to stop the expansion. Please join your friends and neighbors and contribute generously.  Thank you!