Historic Landfills in the Portland Metropolitan Region
Special Collection Finding Aid
August 2015
Updated: February 2023
Acknowledgements
We wish to acknowledge the support and contributions of the following individuals who helped to organize and preserve the Historic Landfills collection. Through their efforts, the collection is now accessible to the public at large:
• Elaine Glendening, DEQ Environmental Specialist, Retired
• Tim Spencer, Project Manager DEQ NWR Solid Waste Program
• Roy Brower, Solid Waste Compliance and Cleanup Manger, Metro
• Paul Ehinger, Solid Waste Operations Program Director, Metro
• Pam Welch, Records and Information Analyst, Metro
Summary Information
Repository | Metro Archives and Special Collections |
Creator | Pamela Welch |
Title | Historic Landfills in the Portland Metropolitan Region Collection |
Date [inclusive] | 1969 - 2004 |
Extent | 212 images (JPG) and 25 electronic documents (PDF/A) |
Condition | The collection is in electronic form. See Summary Collection Description for more information. |
Language | English |
Abstract | 1. The Historic Regional Landfills Collection represents the work and accomplishments of the Metropolitan Service District, the Columbia River Association of Governments, Metro, Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Quality Commission, and other regional partners to improve the management of solid waste and meet new state mandated requirements. This collection represents the work done to evaluate existing landfills, create landfill standards, and site a new landfill to meet the region’s needs. This resulted in the closure of local metropolitan landfills during the 1970s and 1980s and laid the ground work for siting a new regional landfill.
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Preferred Citation
Metro Archives and Special Collections: Historic Landfills in the Portland Metropolitan Region Collection, 1969 -2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction: A Brief History of Historic Landfills in the Portland Metro Region 1
Evaluation 4
Chronology of Historic Regional Landfills 5
Summary Collection Description 9
Box Numbers and Descriptions 10
Collection Division 1: Landfill Images 11
Collection Division 2: Solid Waste Reports 20
Appendix A: Glossary of Acronyms 21
Appendix B: Related Records 22
Introduction: A Brief History of Historic Landfills in the Portland Metro Region
In July 1970, representatives from Multnomah County, the Oregon State Board of Health, the Columbia River Association of Governments (CRAG), Clackamas County, Washington County, and the City of Portland met to discuss the need for improved solid waste management in the region. They discussed concerns over current landfill management, the need for alternative disposal methods, illegal dumping, and unauthorized dump sites. They all spoke about the need for a regional solid waste disposal system to address standards, management, disposal methods, and siting new landfills. It was decided to turn the matter over to CRAG staff to propose a course of action by the Metropolitan Service District (MSD) the agency created by the Oregon Legislature to assume the responsibility of solid waste planning for the region. By the end of the year, the MSD released a report regarding the need to develop a comprehensive solid waste disposal system for the region.
Over the next few years, the MSD evaluated the existing solid waste system in the region, including an assessment of thirty regional landfills, and created a solid waste management plan for the region. In April 1974, the MSD Board adopted Ordinance 9 which approved the MSD Solid Waste Management Action Plan (aka COR-MET). The three volume plan recommended a regional solid waste authority that would oversee recycling and reuse, creation of transfer stations, transportation of waste, landfill siting and management, and alternative systems to dispose of solid waste. The development and implementation of the Solid Waste Management Action Plan resulted in several studies of existing landfills, the creation of operational guidelines, and sitting of potential regional landfills.
Over the following year, the MSD evaluated the potential landfill sites identified in the Solid Waste Management Action Plan, narrowing the list of existing landfills and gravel pits to eighteen. The MSD then approached local jurisdictions, the garbage industry, and any groups or organizations impacted by siting a potential landfill to develop engineering and environmental impact studies and hold public hearings. However, not everyone was in favor of the agency’s choices for siting a new landfill. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) cited concerns over potential groundwater contamination, high traffic volume, and a lack of long-term capacity of the sites. The City of Portland expressed that it had taken care of its share of garbage and did not want a new landfill sited in the Portland area. The Troutdale Airport voiced concerns that a landfill sited near the airport would cause flight hazards due to birds that would be attracted to the garbage.
The MSD also began to exert its authority over the local solid waste system by issuing certificates for the operation of disposal sites and determining what type of waste disposal sites could accept. It also oversaw the closure of several disposal sites. This created friction between the MSD and the local solid waste industry. The garbage industry, haulers, and the sanitary drivers unions opposed implementation of the Solid Waste Management Action Plan and several related MSD ordinances. They questioned whether MSD had the appropriate authority to implement and enforce the Plan.
The conflict came to a head in 1976 when Teamster’s Local 281 entered into the friendly litigation between the MSD and DEQ. The original intent of the litigation was to force the court system to legally define the MSD’s authority over the management of the solid waste system within the region. However, when Local 281 entered into the litigation, the intent was to ensure that the MSD lost. In the end, the State of Oregon sided with the MSD. Effective April 1977, Oregon House Bill 2683 recognized the MSD as the solid waste authority for the region.
During the litigation process, the agency continued to implement the recommendations contained in the Solid Waste Management Action Plan. Staff worked with the City of Portland on the management of the St. Johns Landfill. In additional, the MSD Board adopted ordinances relating to the issuance of disposal site permits, termination of disposal sites, design and operation of disposal sites, and user fees.
In August 1977, Bill Young, the director of DEQ, called for landfill siting alternatives due to concerns that the two remaining significant landfills (St. Johns and Rossman) would reach capacity by mid-1979. There was also concern that the resource recovery system, not yet in place, would be unable to meet all of the region’s disposal needs. DEQ requested that the MSD determine the final fill date of the two landfills and decide whether to expand an existing landfill or site a new one.
By the fall of 1978, the City of Portland and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reached a compromise on the expansion of the St. Johns Landfill. The compromise required the City of Portland work with the MSD to develop a long term alternate landfill site and/or a resource recovery program. This agreement allowed the St Johns Landfill to expand by 55 acres.
The Solid Waste Management Action Plan already included recommendations to develop additional landfills, but these two events put additional pressure on the MSD to site a new landfill. As a result, the MSD produced another landfill siting report, Disposal Siting Alternatives, which identified nineteen potential sites. Both existing landfills and land for a new landfill were explored. However, as the report found, none of the sites met all the requirements for local land use, environmental acceptability, or economic feasibility. The agency also encountered strong resistance from local agencies and interest groups to sitting a new landfill. As a result, the report recommended the MSD support the expansion of both the St Johns Landfill and the Santosh Landfill while searching for a location to site a new long term landfill. The MSD found itself in a challenging position of closing existing landfills that either did not meet the new landfill standards or were reaching capacity, while ensuring enough landfill space to meet the continuing needs of the region.
In addition to the unwillingness of jurisdictions to accept waste outside their borders, the region’s citizens also posed a significant obstacle to siting a new landfill. Many citizens opposed the new landfill standards that would limit access to landfills. They also expressed an unwillingness to have a new landfill sited in their neighborhood. Other concerns voiced ranged from pollution and pests to traffic congestion from the garbage trucks and falling property values.
In 1979 Metro adopted Resolution No. 79-12, Procedure for Siting Sanitary Landfills. Under these guidelines staff began technical feasibility studies on the three most promising sites identified in the Disposal Siting Alternatives report: Durham Pits, Portland Sand and Gravel, and Mira Monte. The DEQ commented that gravel pits could adversely impact ground water and opposed their use as a potential landfill site. The Public also raised questions about the dangers to aircraft using Aurora Airport from the birds attracted to garbage at the Mira Monte landfill. Due to these concerns, Metro stopped its investigation into these sites and broadened the search area.
During this time, the Oregon Legislature approved Senate Bill 925 which allowed the State to site a landfill in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Marion, and Polk Counties if local jurisdictions were not able to site a landfill on their own. The Legislation also gave Metro the ability to site a new landfill outside of the Metro region and removed criteria for a willing seller. Because of past difficulties in siting a landfill, Metro sought technical support from DEQ. Through an inter-agency agreement, Metro and DEQ work together to find an appropriate site for a landfill. By 1981, the top five potential sites included: Wildwood, Wilsonville Road, Boeckman Road, Vanddermost Road, and Corral Creek. .
Metro officials were concerned that it would not be possible to site a new landfill before 1984 the projected date when existing landfills were expected to reach capacity. This concern was due to the fact that landfill siting was not part of any county’s comprehensive framework plan which would cause additional delays in obtaining land use permits. Another concern was that although the public agreed on the need for a new landfill, people did not want a landfill sited near them.
With pressure mounting to site a landfill, and the new flexibility granted by Senate Bill 925, Metro changed siting criteria to include farm and forest land and expand the search area to include land outside of the Metro region. Many citizens expressed outrage as some of the farm land on the proposed list had been family-owned for decades. With the search extending outside of the Metro service boundary, many residence were upset over the potential loss of their land for a Metro owned landfill and having little say in the decision. They resented that Metro had the right to take their land when they received no Metro services and no Metro councilor to represent their views. Many neighborhoods signed petitions, sent letters, and organized protests to prevent land identified in their area from becoming a landfill.
By May of 1981, the top three sites were released to the public – Jeep Trail (Wildwood), SW 209th, and Corral Creek. All three sites were outside Metro’s service boundaries and none were existing landfills or gravel pits. Public meetings were attended by hundreds of protesting residents who expressed concerns about noise and odor pollution, groundwater contamination, loss of land value, increased traffic, the proximity to schools, and the use of valuable farmland for a landfill. When Jeep Trail (Wildwood) was announced as the finalist, the following month, Metro announced a formal study would be conducted to address the impact of a landfill on property values, groundwater, wildlife, pollution, and traffic congestion. It was hoped the study, along with public engagement meetings would mitigate the concerns of residents. However, continued opposition won out and the proposed Jeep Trail landfill was not sited.
In June 1981, Metro became the official operator of St. Johns Landfill. With no new landfill sited, and more than half of the regions garbage going to St. Johns, Metro Councilor Mike Burton asked the Metro Council to expand the fiscal year 1981-82 budget by $50,000 to provide previsions for another recycling center or for experimental approaches to recycling. The hope was to divert more of the waste stream to lengthen the life of the region’s existing landfills.
The 1985 Legislature passed Senate Bill 662 which gave DEQ and EQC the responsibility and authority to site a landfill to serve the Metro regions. Passage of this bill was considered critical, as the expected closure date of the St. Johns Landfill was 1990. The DEQ selected Bacona Road for the new landfill, but Metro was concerned the proposed site would not be ready for operation when the St. Johns Landfill closed and that it would not meet State and Federal permitting requirements.
Based on past experience, Metro decided to take advantage of language in Senate Bill 662 that gave the agency latitude to select an alternate site inside or outside the region. The agency took a broader look at sitting a landfill by examining existing and potential landfill sites both within 200 miles of Portland. Metro identified and considered thirty-two sites in Oregon and twenty-nine sites in Washington. At the end of the investigation, Metro decided on a landfill in Gilliam County, Oregon which was under the management of Oregon Waste Systems. The landfill, which would be ready to accept waste in January 1990, was considered more cost effective than the Bacona Road site and had the support of local officials and residents. In March of 1988, Metro adopted Resolution No. 88-864A and 88-865, declaring its intention to set aside the Bacana Road site and enter into a 20-year contract with Oregon Waste Systems.
Evaluation
The images and reports in this collection represent some of the documentation MSD staff used to evaluate existing landfills in the region. The images were used to prepare reports and presentations to the MSD Board. Together the images and reports were used to assist in evaluating which landfills would be closed and which would be incorporated into the new solid waste system. By the end of the 1970s, with the implementation of the new solid waste system many of these landfills were closed. Landfill closures continued into the 1980s, and by 1991, the last of the remaining local landfills in the Metro region were closed.
Chronology of Historic Regional Landfills
1968 | Rossman Landfill is authorized to accept solid waste, the last general purpose landfill authorized in the Metropolitan region. | |
1970 | The Metropolitan Service District (MSD) is created by the Oregon State Legislature for the purpose of regional solid waste planning under OAR268. | |
December 11: The MSD Board moves to appoint a committee to enter into negotiations with the City of Portland for the use of St. Johns Landfill. | ||
1971 | The Oregon State Legislature requires solid waste disposal sites be permitted by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). | |
CRAG releases a report Solid Waste Study, which examined thirty disposal sites in the region. | ||
Oregon Environmental Quality Commission requested Washington County’s application to open a landfill on Scholls Ferry Road | ||
April: The MSD participates in the State of Washington Centralia Study to determine the feasibility of developing a solid waste disposal site near the city of Centralia, Washington. | ||
Landfill closures: Slavins Landfill, Multnomah County; Shadybrook Landfill and Sandy Landfill, Washington County; and J&W Landfill, Multnomah County. | ||
1972 | November: The MSD submits the preliminary scope of work for a regional solid waste management plan to DEQ. | |
December: DEQ grants funds for the solid waste study. | ||
1973 | August: The MSD approves guidelines for screening landfills to find a regional general purpose landfill. | |
Landfill closure: Plews Landfill. | ||
1974 | May: The MSD adopts Ordinance No. 9 approving the MSD Solid Waste Management Action Plan (COR-MET). | |
July: The Oregon State Emergency Board allocates funding for the MSD Solid Waste Implementation. Four sites for solid waste transfer/processing sites are chosen for environmental impact: East Washington County Station, Rossman Landfill, 205 North Station, and North Portland Road Station. | ||
1975 | January: The MSD Board adopts Ordinances No. 27 and 32, establishing a non-processable solid waste program and procedures for the issuance of certificates for the operation of waste disposal sites. Representatives from the local garbage industry, haulers, and the sanitary drivers unions oppose the implementation of the Solid Waste Plan and Ordinances No. 27 and 32, questioning whether the MSD Board had the appropriate authority to implement and enforce the plan and the ordinances. | |
March: The MSD Board passes an amendment to Ordinance 27 after gathering input from local garbage industry representatives. Part of this revision includes the creation of intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with local jurisdictions to clarify administrative procedures and agreements. | ||
July: The MSD Board considers buying property in Oregon City (Rossman’s Landfill). | ||
November: The MSD Board directs staff to begin negotiations for the Rossman site in Oregon City, Oregon. | ||
1976 | May: The MSD Board approves relocation applications for Metropolitan Disposal Corporation and Oregon Recycling and Disposal. | |
June: The MSD Board approves Ordinance No. 39, adopting standards of exemptions for the operation of solid waste disposal sites. Phase I and II allows the landfills to accept the same materials they were already accepting. Phase III requires only demolition waste be accepted by the non-processible landfills. It is believed that by the time Phase III goes into effect, the majority of demolition landfills will be at capacity; hence these standards would have minimal effect on business. | ||
November: The MSD Board votes against modifying Obrist Landfill’s permit to accept public waste. | ||
1977 | May: The MSD Board adopts Ordinances No. 47 (issuance of disposal site permits), 48 (termination of disposal sites and the design and operation of disposal sites), and 49 (user fees). | |
May: The MSD Board authorizes the purchase of land for the Oregon City processing station (Rossman). | ||
Landfill closure: Frank Landfill, Washington County. | ||
May: The MSD Board approves a contract with Newberg Landfill to accept waste generated within the MSD area and collect MSD user fees. | ||
May: The MSD Board authorizes staff to tour resource recovery facilities throughout the United States and investigate existing alternative disposal processes. | ||
May: The MSD Board approves a thirty day contract with Resource Recovery Byproducts for continued operation and collection of user fees on mixed loads. This action fills a gap until issues with Ordinance No. 47 can be resolved. | ||
July: The MSD Board is notified through the 1977 Oregon legislative report that House Bill 2683 passed and was signed into law by Governor Bob Straub, effective April 1977. The Bill recognizes the MSD as the solid waste authority for the region. | ||
August: The MSD signs a contract with Santosh Disposal to collect user fees from waste collected within the MSD service boundary and transported it outside of the MSD boundary to Santosh Disposal in Columbia County. The hope is that the agreement will extend the life of existing landfills in the MSD region. | ||
1978 | June: The MSD denies Rossman Landfill’s request for a variance on daily cover and on MSD’s flow control authority. | |
July: The MSD releases a report for landfill operation guidelines. Rossman’s Landfill operators believed the guidelines would drive up costs making landfilling too expensive. LaVelle Landfill operators request existing landfills be exempt from the new requirements. | ||
August: The MSD Board Management Committee and staff meet with DEQ to discuss solid waste disposal minimum standards and their effect on landfills. It is reported that Rossman Landfill is working with DEQ on the development of a new operational plan. | ||
September: MSD staff review Durham Pit as a possible alternate landfill location after Rossman Landfill closes. | ||
September: The MSD report, Disposal Siting Alternatives, outlines the results of the first general landfill site search. Nineteen potential sites are identified; however, none meet all state, federal, and local government requirements. | ||
October: MSD staff identify two areas of high priority: Troutdale-Gresham and Beaverton-Tualatin. Troutdale-Gresham has the most need due to the closure of three landfills by early 1979. The MSD Board expresses concern about the recommendation to seek out only one site rather than six. The Board moves to approve construction of the first public transfer station in the Gresham Troutdale area to be publicly owned with operation contracted to private industry. | ||
A compromise between the City of Portland and US Environmental Protection Agency is reached. The St. Johns Landfill is permitted to expand beyond the 55 acre limit, with the stipulation that an alternative landfill site is developed. | ||
1979 | January: The Metro Council adopts Resolution No. 79-12, approving Procedures for Siting Sanitary Landfills. | |
A technical feasibility study begins on Durham Pit, Mira Monte, and Portland Sand and Gravel. DEQ decides that gravel pits are unacceptable for use as sanitary landfills. | ||
1980 | Metro assumes operation of the St. Johns Landfill. DEQ issues a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the landfill. | |
1981 | Landfill closure: LaVelle Landfill, Clackamas County. | |
Nash Pit (Killingsworth Fast Disposal) submits a formal request to Metro requesting permission to accept solid waste from the public. | ||
1982 | September: Metro approves the first franchise agreements with Killingsworth Fast Disposal Landfill, LaVelle, and Metropolitan Disposal Corporation. | |
1983 | Landfill closures: Santosh Landfill, Columbia County; Hillsboro Landfill, Washington County; and Rossman Landfill, Clackamas County. | |
1984 | Landfill closure: Newberg Landfill, Yamhill County. | |
September: The Metro Council adopts Resolution No. 84-491, creating an Interim Management Strategy for the St. Johns Landfill. The strategy includes diverting fill to other landfills to help prolong the life the landfill. | ||
1985 | Metro works with Vancouver Sanitary Service to stop Washington haulers from using the St. Johns Landfill. Metro also approaches the Washington State legislature to prohibit Washington haulers from bringing waste into Oregon. | |
1986 | Landfill closure: Nash Pit, Multnomah County. | |
1990 | Landfill closure: Killingsworth Landfill, Multnomah County. | |
1991 | Landfill closure: St. Johns Landfill, Multnomah County. | |
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Summary Collection Description
The original format of the images in the collection were slides created in the 1970s by Metropolitan Service District (MSD) and the Columbia Region Association of Governments (CRAG) staff. The slides were used for presentation purposes in workgroups and for reporting findings about the current state of landfills in the region. In the subsequent decades the slides were stored in a binder and became part of the Metro Solid Waste and Recycling department library. Stored in less than ideal conditions, and due to a lack of archival storage methods, many of the slides to deteriorated over time. When their historic value was identified, the decision was made to create digital copies and deem them the official record. The slides that had deteriorated to sepia tones were altered in the attempt to “true” their color. Other than some manual cleaning of dust and debris, the other slides were scanned and left unaltered.
Identifying information written on the slides by MSD and CRAG staff was incorporated into the titling of each digital image. Unidentified slides were reviewed by Metro staff and volunteers; however, some assumptions were made on the actual dates of the images. In the absence of dates, the image was given a generic date of 1/1/1970. If no date was written on the slide, but a date was printed on the slide holder, the printed date was used as the image date, the assumption being that the printed date reflected the date the image was developed in close proximity to the time the image was taken.
The decision was made to destroy the original slides once the images were digitized (JPG), reviewed, and moved into Metro’s electronic records management system.
The reports included in this collection came primarily from boxes of records that had been microfilmed during the 1990s. Because the original hardcopy records had been destroyed, the microfilm was digitized and the reports were saved as individual PDF/A documents. The black and white aerial photographs were also discovered in the microfilmed records. These records were removed from their original container and incorporated into this collection based on their recognition as historically significant records and their relationship to the content of this collection.
Box Numbers and Descriptions
Below is a general list of numbers and descriptions for the boxes in which the Historic Regional Landfills collection is contained.
Box Nbr | Box Description |
METRO0011 | Historic Regional Landfills |
Collection Divisions
Collection Division 1: Landfill Images
This collection division consists of images of regional landfills taken during the 1970s. The collection’s images are listed in chronological order.
1969
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/2012 | Shadybrook, Washington County – Leachate Problems | 8/14/1969 |
1970 (Actual date unknown)
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/1805 | Browns Island, Salem – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1934 | Buckmann – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1933 | Buckmann – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1932 | Buckmann – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1931 | Buckmann – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1930 | Buckmann – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1828 | Columbia Sand and Gravel Pit – Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1827 | Columbia Sand and Gravel Pit – Looking North near 122nd – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1826 | Columbia Sand and Gravel Pit – Looking Northeast – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1976 | Frank - Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1975 | Frank – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1974 | Frank – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1973 | Frank – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1972 | Frank – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1971 | Frank – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1970 | Frank – Tualatin River in Background – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1937 | J&W – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1936 | J&W – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1935 | J&W – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1938 | LaVelle – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1979 | Metro – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1978 | Metro – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1977 | Metro – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/2009 | Metro – Leachate Problems | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1947 | MicKey – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1946 | MicKey – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1945 | MicKey – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1948 | Multnomah County – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1949 | Newberg (Angus McFee) – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1950 | Obrist – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1951 | Oregon City Dump – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1956 | Plews – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1955 | Plews – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1954 | Plews – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1953 | Plews – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1952 | Plews – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1986 | Portland City Dump – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1985 | Portland City Dump – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1984 | Portland City Dump – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1983 | Portland City Dump – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1982 | Portland City Dump – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1981 | Portland City Dump – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1980 | Portland City Dump – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1887 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Looking Sown South Side to North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1888 | R. Recovery – Dumping Floor – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1891 | Rivergate Industrial District – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1890 | Rivergate Industrial District – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1889 | Rivergate Industrial District – Wet Ground – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1993 | Rossman – Entrance Check In – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1992 | Rossman – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1991 | Rossman – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1990 | Rossman – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1989 | Rossman – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1988 | Rossman – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1987 | Rossman – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1960 | Sandy – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1959 | Sandy – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1958 | Sandy – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1957 | Sandy – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1903 | Sandy – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1999 | Santosh – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1998 | Santosh – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1997 | Santosh – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1996 | Santosh – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1995 | Santosh – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/2000 | Scappose – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1916 | Schnitzer – Shredder – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1963 | Sellwood – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1962 | Sellwood – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1961 | Sellwood – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1966 | Shadybrook – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1965 | Shadybrook – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1964 | Shadybrook – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1969 | Slavins – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1968 | Slavins – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1967 | Slavins – Demolition Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1920 | Storage on Union Electric – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/2001 | St. Johns Landfill – Bybee Wetlands on right and Ramsey Wetlands above – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/2003 | St. Johns Landfill – Entrance Exit – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/2002 | St. Johns Landfill – Entrance Exit – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/2005 | St. Johns Landfill – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/2004 | St. Johns Landfill – Landfill | 1/1/1970 |
IMAGE14/1921 | Thiftway Cornelius Oregon – Compactor – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1970 |
1970
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/1897 | Rivergate Industrial District – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 6/1/1970 |
1971
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/1899 | Rivergate Industrial District – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 9/1/1971 |
IMAGE14/2013 | Shadybrook Washington County – Leachate Problems | 1/1/1971 |
IMAGE14/2006 | St. Johns Landfill – Landfill | 6/1/1971 |
1972
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/2007 | Bay City Site Tillamook Co – Leachate Problems | 2/1/1972 |
IMAGE14/2008 | Cresswell Lane County – Leachate Problems | 3/1/1972 |
IMAGE14/1892 | Rivergate Industrial District – Komatsu with Landfill Blade – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1972 |
IMAGE14/2014 | Waldport Yachats Dump Lincoln County – Leachate Problems | 3/1/1972 |
1973
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/2011 | Pope & Talbot Site Oakridge Lane Co – Leachate Problems | 1/1/1973 |
IMAGE14/2010 | Pope & Talbot Site Oakridge Lane Co – Leachate Problems | 1/1/1973 |
1975
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/1896 | Rivergate Industrial District – St Johns Landfill – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 1/1/1975 |
IMAGE14/1895 | Rivergate Industrial District – St Johns Landfill – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 2/1/1975 |
IMAGE14/1894 | Rivergate Industrial District – St Johns Landfill – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 2/1/1975 |
IMAGE14/1893 | Rivergate Industrial District – St Johns Landfill – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 2/1/1975 |
1977
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/1807 | Cipole Pits – East Area Looking East – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1806 | Cipole Pits – East Area Looking East – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1809 | Cipole Pits – East Area Looking South – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1808 | Cipole Pits – East Area Looking Southeast – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1810 | Cipole Pits – East Pit (Thompson) Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1812 | Cipole Pits – East Pit (Thompson) Looking South – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1811 | Cipole Pits – East Pit (Thompson) Looking Southeast – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1813 | Cipole Pits – East Pit Looking Southwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1814 | Cipole Pits – Far East Area (Thompson) Looking East – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1815 | Cipole Pits – Northeast Area (Barstad) Looking Northeast – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1817 | Cipole Pits – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/1/1977 |
IMAGE14/1816 | Cipole Pits – West Area Looking West – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1818 | Cooper Mountain Pit – Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1819 | Cooper Mountain Pit – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1820 | Cooper Mountain Pit – Looking West – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1821 | Columbia Sand and Gravel Pit – Access Roads South Side – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1822 | Columbia Sand and Gravel Pit – Entrance Near 122nd – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1823 | Columbia Sand and Gravel Pit – Looking Down – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1824 | Columbia Sand and Gravel Pit – Looking West – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1825 | Columbia Sand and Gravel Pit – Pit access Road West – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1830 | Durham Pits – North Pit Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1829 | Durham Pits - North Pit Looking Northeast – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1832 | Durham Pits – North Pit Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1831 | Durham Pits – North Pit Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1834 | Durham Pits – North Pit Looking Southwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1833 | Durham Pits – North Pit Looking Southwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1836 | Durham Pits – North Pit Looking West – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1835 | Durham Pits – North Pit Looking West – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1842 | Durham Pits – South Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/1/1977 |
IMAGE14/1839 | Durham Pits – South Pit Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1838 | Durham Pits – South Pit Looking Northeast – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1840 | Durham Pits – South Pit Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1837 | Durham Pits – South Pit Looking Southeast – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1841 | Durham Pits – South Pit Looking Southwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1847 | Grabhorn Site – Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1848 | Lakeside Reclamation – Area of Proposed Expansion – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 3/14/1977 |
IMAGE14/1849 | Lakeside Reclamation – One of these areas to be filled during proposed expansion – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 3/14/1977 |
IMAGE14/1850 | Lakeside Reclamation – View of area to be filled during proposed expansion – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 3/14/1977 |
IMAGE14/1851 | Lakeside Reclamation – View of Existing Operational Area – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 3/14/1977 |
IMAGE14/1852 | Lakeside Reclamation – View of Proposed Expansion Area – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 3/18/1977 |
IMAGE14/1857 | Nash Pit – Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1856 | Nash Pit – Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1859 | Nash Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/1/1977 |
IMAGE14/1858 | Nash Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/1/1977 |
IMAGE14/1863 | Newberg Landfill – Looking South High Water Willamette (little cover) – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1862 | Newberg Landfill – Looking South High Water Willamette (little cover) – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1864 | Old Pumpkin Site – Looking Northeast – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1865 | Old Pumpkin Site – Looking Southwest from Sadybrook Road – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1866 | Old Pumpkin Site – Looking Southwest from Shadybrook Road – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1867 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – Entrance – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1868 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – Looking East – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1869 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1870 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1871 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – Looking West – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1872 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – Park, South – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1873 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – Residences Looking East – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1874 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – Residences Looking West – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1875 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – School, East – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1876 | Oregon Asphaltic & Paving Pit – SW Corner Looking East Entrance – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1877 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Access Road – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/2/1977 |
IMAGE14/1881 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Access Road Parallel to Division – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1882 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Looking Down South Side to North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1878 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Looking Down Southeast – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/2/1977 |
IMAGE14/1879 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Looking Up South – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/2/1977 |
IMAGE14/1880 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – North Property Line – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/2/1977 |
IMAGE14/1886 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/1/1977 |
IMAGE14/1885 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/1/1977 |
IMAGE14/1884 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/1/1977 |
IMAGE14/1883 | Portland Sand and Gravel Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/1/1977 |
IMAGE14/1898 | Rivergate Industrial District – Portland Landfill Development Plan Concept 1932 | 5/1/1977 |
IMAGE14/1900 | Rock Creek Pit – Looking East – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1901 | Rock Creek Pit – Looking South – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1902 | Rock Creek Pit – Looking West – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1904 | Santosh Site – Access Road – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1905 | Santosh Site – Birds – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1915 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1914 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1913 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1912 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1911 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1910 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1909 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1908 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1907 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1906 | Santosh Site – Looking Northwest – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1917 | Sexton Mountain Pit – Looking North, South Area – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1918 | Sexton Mountain Pit – Looking South – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1919 | Sexton Mountain Pit – Looking West, South Area – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/15/1977 |
IMAGE14/1922 | Waybo Pit – Looking Down from North Side – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1924 | Waybo Pit – Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1923 | Waybo Pit – Looking North – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1925 | Waybo Pit – Looking Southeast Killingsworth Entrance – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1926 | Waybo Pit – Northwest Corner Access Road (Roselawn & Waybo) – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1927 | Waybo Pit – Northwest Corner Entrance & Access Road to Entrance – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1928 | Waybo Pit – Northwest Corner Gate – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/3/1977 |
IMAGE14/1929 | Waybo Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 12/1/1977 |
1978
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/1943 | LaVelle Landfill on 82nd – Demolition Landfill | 4/1/1978 |
IMAGE14/1944 | LaVelle Landfill on 82nd – Gas Vents – Demolition Landfill | 4/1/1978 |
IMAGE14/1942 | LaVelle Landfill on 82nd – Gas Vents – Demolition Landfill | 4/1/1978 |
IMAGE14/1941 | LaVelle Landfill on 82nd – Gas Vents – Demolition Landfill | 4/1/1978 |
IMAGE14/1940 | LaVelle Landfill on 82nd – Gas Vents – Demolition Landfill | 4/1/1978 |
IMAGE14/1939 | LaVelle Landfill on 82nd – Gas Vents – Demolition Landfill | 4/1/1978 |
IMAGE14/1994 | Rossman – Landfill | 6/26/1978 |
1979
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE14/1846 | Durham Pits – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 5/24/1979 |
IMAGE14/1845 | Durham Pits – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 5/24/1979 |
IMAGE14/1844 | Durham Pits – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 5/24/1979 |
IMAGE14/1843 | Durham Pits – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 5/24/1979 |
IMAGE14/1855 | Mira Monte - Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 5/24/1979 |
IMAGE14/1854 | Mira Monte – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 5/24/1979 |
IMAGE14/1853 | Mira Monte – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 5/24/1979 |
IMAGE14/1861 | Nash Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 5/24/1979 |
IMAGE14/1860 | Nash Pit – Potential Alternate Landfill Site | 5/24/1979 |
1980s
Record Number | Image Description | Date |
IMAGE15/2777 | Waybo Pit Landfill Aerial Photographs | 1982-1983 |
IMAGE15/2776 | Hillsboro Landfill Aerial Photos | 1983-1986 |
Collection Division 2: Solid Waste Reports
This collection division consists of reports relating to existing and potential landfill sites during the 1970s and 1980s.
Record Number | Document Description | Date |
DOC15/566 | Disposal Site Descriptions | 1/1/1971 |
DOC15/216 | Brief Outline on the History of Refuse Disposal in Portland | 1/1/1972 |
DOC15/583 | Regional sanitary landfill Report | 11/14/75 |
DOC15/567 | Disposal Sitting Alternatives | 9/1/1978 |
DOC15/582 | Potential Sanitary Landfills Feasibility, Durham Pits | 10/25/1979 |
DOC15/579 | Phase I: Siting Issues Potential Sanitary Landfills Feasibility Report for Portland Sand & Gravel, 106th & SE Division | 12/21/1979 |
DOC15/563 | Alfords Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/564 | Cipole Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/565 | Columbia Sand and Gravel Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/568 | Durham Pit Sit Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/571 | Grant Butte Pit Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/572 | Hayden Island Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/573 | Hidden Valley Landfill Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/574 | King road Extension Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/577 | Old Pumpkin Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/578 | Oregon Asphaltic Paving Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/581 | Porter Yett Waybo Roselawn Gravel Pits Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/580 | Portland Sand & Gravel Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/585 | Sandy Delta Site Description | 1/1/1980 |
DOC15/570 | Five Potential Sanitary Landfill Sites, Information Update | 2/1/1981 |
DOC15/575 | Landfill Siting Public Involvement Report | 6/1/1981 |
DOC07/567 | SCS Engineers Report: Solid Waste Characteristics and Flow in the Portland Metropolitan Service District Draft | 6/11/1981 |
DOC15/576 | Nash Pit Layout | 9/8/1981 |
DOC15/569 | Evaluation of Potential Landfill Sites | 6/1/1986 |
DOC15/584 | Report on Evaluation of Potential Landfill Sites | 10/6/1986 |
DOC07/639 | Our Landfill Legacy | 03/01/2004 |
Appendix A: Glossary of Acronyms
Below is a list of acronyms that appear in the Historic Regional Landfills Collection with the corresponding terms:
CRAG | Columbia Region Association of Governments |
MSD | Metropolitan Service District |
DEQ | Department of Environmental Quality |
EQC | Environmental Quality Commission |
EPA | Environmental Protection Agency |
Appendix B: Related Records
The following is a list of other records or record collections that are related by topic and/or content the historic landfill records:
• Solid Waste Policy Advisory Committee (SWPAC) Collection
• St Johns Landfill Historic Collection
• Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP) Collection
• Columbia River Association of Governments (CRAG) Collection
• Metropolitan Service District (MSD) Collection
• Metro Council Solid Waste Committee