SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners has directed staff to continue exploring a potential new location for a solid waste transfer station in south county, though officials emphasized the project remains years away and currently unfunded.
The county-owned site under review is located near the intersection of state Highways 104 and 19. Solid Waste Manager Al Cairns told commissioners that any relocation would be a long-term initiative, with a projected timeline extending to 2032. He noted there is “exactly no money” allocated at present to construct a new facility.
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The site selection process began in 2022, initially reviewing 9,600 possible locations. After a multi-step evaluation by a facilities task force and county staff, four finalists were shortlisted. The Highway 104 and 19 property received the highest overall score of 331, while the existing Cape George station ranked lowest at 180.
Evaluation criteria included long-term affordability, adaptability to population growth, environmental considerations, service equity, and potential impacts on neighbors. Officials said the proposed site offers better geology, fewer critical areas, and minimal noise concerns, positioning it to meet future regulatory and operational demands.