SWAC -- Yamhill County's Solid Waste Advisory Committee -- is looking for new members. The Committee currently meets just four times a year, for about an hour a meeting. The three-year appointments are volunteer and unpaid.
SWAC is actually two statutory committees rolled into one: a regional disposal site advisory committee and a local citizens advisory committee for solid waste issues in general. The Committee advises the County Board of Commissioners (BOC) about garbage hauling and dumping. Duties include reviewing requests for rate increases, listening to citizen comments, questions and concerns about the local dump (Riverbend Landfill), and preparing an annual written report.
The Board of Commissioners makes actual decisions, although, by statute, the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is supposed to consider SWAC's annual reports when renewing a landfill's license. In practice here in Yamhill County, it's not clear that SWAC actually prepares annual reports.
With a new-look BOC and new staff in the person of Ashley Watkins (no relation to this writer), SWAC appears headed for an upgrade, with more attention paid to its work. In short, this would be a good time to apply to the Committee!
SWAC membership is dictated by statute. Members include a resident from the area near the dump; a property owner near the dump; another County resident or property owner; a representative of a local organization composed of County property owners or electors; and employees of the dump and local haulers. Other, unrestricted, members are allowed under state law, but Yamhill County has not added any.
One and possibly two positions are currently open: County resident or property owner and (possibly) property owner near the landfill.
In the past, SWAC staff have been criticized for nominating only members who support the dump and haulers. Critics are hopeful that this year may prove different. However, when the only two applications received were from landfill opponents, the landfill employee on SWAC requested and was granted additional time to scare up new applicants.
People who are concerned about the dump's potential expansion (and longer life) or garbage rates and service may want to apply. Applications are available online at https://www.co.yamhill.or.us/content/board-commissioners-committees or from 434 NE Evans Street in McMinnville. Completed applications must be returned by February 6th to 434 NE Evans Street, McMinnville, OR 97128, or by email to hintonk@co.yamhill.or.us.
