Letter on Riverbend Expansion

Yamhill County Commissioners

United Steelworkers Local 8378 does not believe Riverbend’s expansion is in the best interest of the county and community. Expansion puts off real progress for the sake of an out of state corporation. The expansion is a step backwards in terms of job creation, environmental protection, and community development.

A combination of new technologies and alternate siting would stabilize garbage rates for the long term and provide considerably more jobs than the proposed expansion. We have a trained workforce and interested community members that will work hard to make real solutions to solid waste disposal. We know that solid waste disposal systems can be used to create good middle class jobs in the community while utilizing waste as a renewable energy source.

Expansion of the landfill is short sighted and will continue to provide serious environmental protection challenges. Short term corporate greed must not outweigh the creation of middle class jobs, environmental protection, and the implementation of a long term, sustainable solution to solid waste disposal in this region.

We agree with the Yamhill County Planning Commission and oppose the expansion. We want the Yamhill County Commissioners to look forward and lead the region in green job creation and sustainable practices. We want to live in a community that values local jobs and the environment over out of state corporate profits.