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October 1, 2025 in News

County Agriculture and Wildlife Co-Existence Program accepting grant applications through November 30

The Benton County Agriculture and Wildlife Protection Program (AWPP) is now open for general applications. The AWPP is a grant program for farmers that promotes agriculture and wildlife co-existence by funding non-lethal wildlife deterrents to prevent losses to livestock, crops and property.

Agricultural operations of all sizes may apply for up to $5,000 in reimbursement funds for the purchase of non-lethal wildlife deterrents which may include standard or electric fencing, sound or light scare devices, fladry or flagging, protective animal housing, livestock guardian animals and other approved options.

Property owners experiencing conflicts with beavers, such as tree damage or flooding, can also apply year-round to purchase deterrents to protect trees and crops or prevent flooding.

The AWPP also provides information and resources to farmers regarding non-lethal wildlife deterrence and can help guide interested citizens in creating successful deterrent plans. Grant applications may be downloaded from the AWPP website and submitted Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. Grant awards will be announced in early January and successful applicants will have until April 30, 2026, to install their projects and request reimbursement after an on-site visit by Benton County staff.

Since 2017, AWPP has provided 37 awards totaling $136,539 to Benton County farmers for the purchase of wildlife-friendly deterrents. Awards are made based upon the applicant’s philosophy of animal damage control, quality of application and likely effectiveness of the proposed non-lethal deterrents project plan. Successful applicants must provide a 10% funding match with labor or materials purchases. The AWPP does not fund deterrents for deer or elk.

Learn more about the AWPP, apply and find more information about the program at pw.bentoncountyor.gov/awpp.

September 30, 2025 in News

Benton County invites dogs and their owners to meet, eat and learn at Dog PAWlooza

Benton County plans to give dogs their day at an upcoming event for canines and their owners. The first-of-its-kind Dog PAWlooza will be held on Friday, October 3 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the County’s Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. Admission is free. 

Dog PAWlooza will feature agility games, tasty bites from food trucks for people and pups, local vendors and plenty of chances to connect with fellow dog lovers. 

The event is more than a party — it’s a one-stop spot for responsible pet care. Ark Animal Hospital will be on site with a mobile vaccination and microchipping clinic. The Benton County Records Department will be licensing dogs on the spot. Dog owners can also chat with groomers, trainers and rescue groups.  

The first 20 members of the public to register their dogs will receive a $10 gift card to Coastal Farm & Ranch or Wilco Farm Stores. 

Participants might even meet their new best friend among the adoptable dogs and cats waiting for a forever home.  

Animal control officers from the City of Corvallis and City of Albany will be there to answer questions about dog-related regulations, how to protect yourself and your pet and what to do if your pup goes missing.  

Oregon law requires all dogs to be licensed, but that’s not the only reason the County is hosting this event. When a licensed dog is brought to a shelter, the owner can quickly be identified and the dog returned home. It ensures a beloved pet won’t spend multiple nights in a shelter while the owners worry. 

License fees also support animal services and adoption programs that benefit the whole community. 

For more information and a current list of participating organizations and vendors, visit re.bentoncountyor.gov/events/dog-paw-looza-2025. 

Benton County Board of Commissioners gavel

September 16, 2025 in News

Benton County announces dates for public hearing on appeal of landfill decision

Benton County has scheduled a public hearing before the Board of Commissioners for the appeal of the decision to deny expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22 with a planned continuance on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street in Corvallis. 

The County’s Planning Commission denied Republic Services’ application to expand the landfill in a decision adopted on July 29. The applicant filed an appeal of that decision on Aug. 12. Appeals of Planning Commission decisions are heard by the Board of Commissioners.  

The hearing will include presentations by the County’s Planning Division and the applicant, followed by verbal public testimony and a final rebuttal by the applicant.   

The full schedule is expected to be as follows. These dates are subject to change with notice. Check the County’s website for the latest schedule.  

Wednesday, Oct. 15 
Expected date for County to publish a staff report considering evidence submitted by the applicant and public since the start of the appeal 

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 5:30 – 10 p.m. 
First day of public hearing: presentations by the County and the applicant followed by the start of verbal public testimony  
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis 

Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30 – 10 p.m. 
Second day of public hearing: verbal public testimony concludes; applicant rebuttal; deadline to submit written testimony 
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis 

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1 p.m. 
Deliberations and decision by Board of Commissioners 
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis 

Monday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. 
Board of Commissioners adopts final written decision  
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis 

Virtual participation in all meetings will be available through an online meeting platform. Links to register for and view meetings will be available soon.  

Verbal testimony 

Anyone can sign up to give two minutes of verbal testimony on new evidence regardless of their participation in the earlier Planning Commission hearing. The time has been set at two minutes per person because of the condensed timeline of the hearing and the large number of interested parties who wish to be heard. 

Registration for verbal testimony will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Instructions and a link to a sign-up form will be distributed and posted to the County website closer to that date.   

Written testimony 

Written evidence and testimony are already being accepted and will be collected until the hearing record is closed by the chair of the Board of Commissioners, which will not be before the hearing ends on Oct. 23.  

There are four ways to submit written testimony:  

  • Through the testimony submission form on the County’s website. Please note that the form does not allow for attachments. To submit testimony with an attachment, use the email address above. 
  • Mailed to Board of Commissioners Office, P.O. Box 3020, Corvallis, OR 97339. Mailed submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on the day the record closes — the postmark will not be taken into consideration. 
  • Hand delivered to Board of Commissioners Office (suite 100) in the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis 

Written testimony can also be submitted in person at the hearing. A testimony table will be set up at the hearing location, opening one hour before the hearing and closing at the end of the session. 

Public record 

In preparation for the hearing to begin on Oct. 22, the Board of Commissioners is reviewing all documents in the public record of the Planning Commission hearing. Minutes and recordings from the hearing, along with all submitted materials, are part of that record.  

The LU-24-027 Public Record is now available on the County’s website. It replaces the record maintained on the MuniDocs platform during the Planning Commission hearing. All documents from MuniDocs are included, with these improvements: 

  • Many duplicate documents have been removed. 
  • Individuals who made multiple submissions on the same date will see a combined document for that date.
  • Attachments to emailed submissions are included within each document, rather than linked out.
  • All documents are keyword searchable. 
  • Documents can be indexed by search engines. 

The public record also includes new evidence submitted for the Board of Commissioners hearing. Applicant submissions and written public testimony are found below the Planning Commission record under the heading “Board of Commissioners de novo Record.” New submissions are uploaded to the record every Wednesday and Friday.  

For more information about the appeal hearing and instructions for giving written or verbal testimony, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill. 

August 13, 2025 in News

Republic Services files appeal of Planning Commission decision to deny expansion of Coffin Butte Landfill

The Benton County Planning Division has received an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to deny LU-24-027, the application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. The applicant, Republic Services, filed the appeal with the County on Tuesday, August 12.

The Planning Commission adopted the decision on Tuesday, July 29, opening a 14-day window in which any party could file an appeal to be heard before the Benton County Board of Commissioners.

Along with the appeal, the applicant requested a 60-day extension of the process, which was granted by the County. This gives all parties more time to fully consider evidence both before and after the public hearing. Prior to the extension, September 27 was the deadline to complete the quasi-judicial land use application process. The new deadline is November 26.

A public hearing before the Board of Commissioners will be scheduled for late October and announced as soon as date, time and location are finalized.

Virtual participation in the meetings will be provided through Zoom. Once hearing dates are set, those interested can visit the County website to register for Zoom meetings.

Ex parte communication rules regarding direct communication with the Benton County Commissioners remain in effect. As such, written testimony should be submitted to landfillappeals@bentoncountyor.gov or via the three other identified avenues on our website.

For more forthcoming information about the appeal hearing and instructions for giving written or verbal testimony, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill or sign up as an interested party on our website.

August 1, 2025 in News

Severe weather grounds Van Halen tribute; local band to headline at Benton County Fair

Benton County announces a change in the main stage lineup for Friday, August 1. Completely Unchained, the Van Halen tribute band scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m., is unable to appear. Local band The Raven Kings will fill the headliner spot, with Skynny Lyzyrd as the opening act.

Concerts and rodeos are included in the cost of Fair admission.

The Raven Kings won the Battle of the Bands competition held at the Fair on Thursday, and Skynny Lyzyrd was the runner-up. As winners, The Raven Kings were expecting to play on August 1 at 7 p.m. to open for Completely Unchained. When fair organizers found out late Thursday night that the scheduled musicians would not be able to get to Corvallis in time to perform, they extended an invitation to The Raven Kings to take the headliner spot.

“Both of the bands were thrilled at the opportunity to play the Main Stage at the Fair, and we’re happy to turn this into a paying gig for them,” said Jesse Ott, the County’s director of Natural Areas Parks & Events. “We’re excited to support local musicians, and the crowd at Battle of the Bands really liked them.”

The Raven Kings are a heavy blues and rock band based in Salem, Ore. They play covers and original songs, so Ott says, “There will probably be some Van Halen covers in their set Friday night. Fans who were looking forward to hearing Completely Unchained should still consider turning out.”

Co-lead singer Ish Phoenix shared the band’s enthusiasm about the change in lineup. “With a heart full of gratitude, I am beyond excited to get the opportunity to play the Main Stage at the Benton County Fair & Rodeo with The Raven Kings. There is nothing better than turning music into memories.”

The members of Completely Unchained were stranded in an airport when all flights out of the Washington, D.C. area were grounded on July 31 by thunderstorms and flash flooding along the Eastern seaboard.

The 2025 Benton County Fair continues through Saturday, August 2. Find more information at bentoncountyfair.net.

July 31, 2025 in News

Planning Commission adopts decision to deny landfill expansion application

The Benton County Planning Commission met on July 29 to adopt their findings of fact and conclusions of law, finalizing their decision to deny LU-24-027 — Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. After about an hour of discussion on the document, the members of the Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt the final written decision.

The Planning Commission had already met on July 22 to deliberate and come to a decision following more than 20 hours of presentations and verbal testimony by Benton County Planning Division staff, consultants, the applicant and community members in a series of in-person meetings that began on April 29. The July 22 meeting lasted nearly four hours.

The Planning Commission also received and reviewed thousands of pages of application materials, reports, exhibits and written public testimony and evidence.

Following the close of deliberations on July 22, the County created a final written document containing findings of fact and conclusions of law.

Before adopting the document on July 29, Planning Commission members discussed and voted on corrections. According to the quasi-judicial land use application process, only minor changes like corrections could be made without reopening deliberations. A motion to reopen deliberations, which would have extended the process, was made but not seconded, so deliberations remained closed during the meeting.

All parties have 14 days from the date of final decision (July 29) to file an appeal. The appeal deadline is 5 p.m. (close of business) on Tuesday, August 12. An appellant is charged the full cost to the County of the appeal, starting with a $5,000 deposit due when the appeal is filed. Appeals are heard by the Benton County Board of Commissioners.  

Learn more

July 25, 2025 in News

Planning Commission to meet virtually on July 29

The Benton County Planning Commission will meet virtually on July 29 at 6 p.m. to adopt the decision and findings on LU-24-027, Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. Community members can view the meeting through Zoom. Those who wish to watch the virtual proceedings in a County location can go to the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

The Planning Commission met July 22 for deliberations. Following nearly four hours of opening statements and discussion, the seven participating Commission members voted unanimously to deny the application.

The County is creating a final written decision document including findings and justification for the decision. The Planning Commission will reconvene on July 29 at 6 p.m. in a Zoom meeting room to adopt the written decision and findings, making the decision final.

The public hearing on LU-24-027 began on April 29. In total, the Planning Commission heard more than 20 hours of presentations and verbal testimony by Benton County Planning Division staff, consultants, the applicant and community members. The Commission also received and reviewed thousands of pages of application materials, reports, exhibits and written public testimony and evidence.

The Planning Commission opted for a virtual meeting on July 29 to make the best use of commissioner time and County resources. With just one item of business on the agenda, the meeting is expected to be short. The Commission also met virtually on June 17, in a meeting that lasted about five minutes, to continue the public hearing to a later date (July 8). All other meetings related to LU-24-027 were held in person in the Kalapuya Building.

Once the decision on the application is final (expected July 29), all parties have 14 days to file an appeal, setting the appeal deadline at 5 p.m. (close of business) on Tuesday, August 12. An appellant is charged the full cost to the County of the appeal, starting with a $5,000 deposit due when the appeal is filed. Appeals are heard by the Benton County Board of Commissioners.  

Learn more

July 11, 2025 in News

Final Open Record Period to end July 16 at 5:00 p.m. as public hearing on proposed landfill expansion concludes

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Benton County Planning Commission announces the deadline to submit written testimony in the public hearing on LU-24-027, Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. Reponses to new written evidence that was submitted during the hearings on July 8 and 9 will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16.

On July 8, the Benton County Planning Division, consultants and the applicant made presentations to the Planning Commission. The following evening, the Commission heard nearly four hours of verbal testimony from the public. Recordings of both meetings are available on the County’s YouTube channel.

No more presentations or verbal testimony will be heard.

At the conclusion of the meeting on July 9, the Commission recognized requests for a 7-day Responsive Open Record Period. The Responsive Open Record Period is for submission of written evidence, arguments or testimony for the purpose of responding to the new written evidence submitted at the July 8 and 9 hearing. Submissions should not respond to evidence introduced before those dates and should not include evidence that is not limited to responding to the written evidence submitted at the July 8 and 9 hearing.

The schedule of the remaining proceedings is as follows:

  • Wednesday, July 16 at 5 p.m.: Deadline to submit responsive evidence, arguments or testimony that responds to  new written evidence submitted on July 8 and 9. Responsive written evidence, argument and testimony can be submitted by emailing it to publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov  or delivering it  to the Planning Division/Community Development at 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333 prior to July 16 at 5:00 p.m. Submissions received after that date and time will not be considered by the Planning Commission or included in the record.
  • Tuesday, July 22, 6 p.m.: Planning Commission meets for deliberations and decision on LU-24-027. Members of the public can attend in person or watch online. Location: 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. No public testimony will be allowed.
  • Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m.: Planning Commission meets to adopt the final written decision and findings on LU-24-027. Location TBD. Members of the public can watch online.

July 1, 2025 in News

Sign-up now open for verbal testimony on July 8 & 9

The Benton County Planning Division has opened online sign-up for those wishing to give verbal testimony about the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. Registrants to give verbal testimony on July 8 or 9 will be added to the roster in the order in which the online sign-up form is completed.

The public hearing on LU-24-027 will resume on July 8 at 6 p.m. in the Holmes & Shipley meeting room of the County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. The meeting will begin with presentations of the supplemental staff report and the applicant’s supplemental materials. Any time remaining will be used for the presentation of public verbal testimony.

Verbal testimony will continue on Wednesday, July 9 at 6 p.m. The public hearing will end by 9 p.m. with no continuance or extension to a later time or date. The Planning Commission will accept verbal testimony until 8:45 p.m. on July 9 to allow the applicant 15 minutes for rebuttal.

To guarantee that new evidence, argument or testimony will be reviewed by the Planning Commission, community members should submit it in written format. To ensure adequate processing and delivery time for digital submissions, deadlines vary for the different methods:

  • The online form will close at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.
  • Emailed submissions to publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov will be accepted until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.
  • In-person delivery to the Community Development office will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7.
  • Mailed submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7. The Planning Division will not consider the postmark date if a submission is received after this deadline.
  • In-person delivery at the public hearing will be accepted beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9.
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