Landfill hearing indefinitely postponed

A public meeting initially scheduled for Aug. 27 concerning a proposed regional landfill near the northwest end of the Klamath Rash has been indefinitely postponed. Jeremy Morris, the Klamath County Public Works/Planning Director, stated in an email to the Klamath Tribes News that a phone conference in early August was conducted with the applicant, Don Jensen, and additional information was requested. Four items were requested.

First, a railroad crossing permit. As stated in the email, the existing crossing appeared to be a private crossing, and a new landfill may not fall within the current railroad crossing permit. Second, Lenz Road, a private road that would access the landfill, requires proof of legal access rights for the existing private road for commercial use.  “Not to mention ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) may require major improvements such as turn lanes on Highway 97 to make sure the motoring public is safe at the proposed intersection,” cited Morris.

The location of the landfill in a wetland also requires delineations and plans specific to how state-mapped wetlands will not be impacted (most of the proposed site is covered by wetlands). Furthermore, Klamath Tribal Water Rights must be considered. “Tribal Water Rights; proof that Tribal Water Rights are not being negatively impacted” was a concern cited. “This will be difficult since the project will undoubtedly impact surface water and groundwater,” Morris stated.

Morris said that the Planning Department had not received any of the requested information as of this writing, “so we have indefinitely postponed the Planning Commission Planning Hearing. We will most likely have another phone conference with the applicant in the upcoming weeks.”

The Klamath Tribes Natural Resources Department has also been actively involved in the process. Don Gentry, the Natural Resources Specialist, stated, “We in the Klamath Tribes Natural Resources Department are thankful that Klamath County has informed the proponent of additional requirements that must be addressed if the development of a landfill proposed in this sensitive wetland area in the Klamath Marsh is to move forward. It is our position that there are additional risks and impacts that cannot be mitigated that render this proposed location infeasible.”