North County Recycling and Transfer Station Siting Study

Four color blocks with white icons relate to transfer stations.

Clark County Public Works is managing a comprehensive siting study to identify suitable locations for a new solid waste transfer facility in northern Clark County, Washington. This project will build upon the recommendations and findings of the Clark County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (CSWMP) and the Regional Solid Waste System Study (RSWSS).

Why is a new transfer station needed?

Based on the Regional Solid Waste System Study completed in 2023, the Central Transfer and Recycling Center receives about 60% of the waste generated in Clark County and the area it serves is expected to experience the largest population growth over the next several decades.

A fourth transfer station is being sited in northern Clark County to provide the necessary capacity to manage waste for the growing population of the north county service area.

What is the process for determining the location?

The siting process will occur in multiple phases over several years, with Phase I currently underway. The timelines listed are estimates only and may be adjusted as the project progresses. 

Phase I: Broad Area Site Screening, anticipated 2025-2026

  • Establish siting criteria, identify suitable properties and conduct a thorough evaluation of potential sites
  • Screen a short-list of feasible sites

Phase II: Focused Site Screening, anticipated late 2026-2027

  • Refine short list to two sites for environmental review

Phase III: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Site Evaluation Comparative Analysis, anticipated 2027

  • Evaluate and analyze two recommended sites and a no action alternative through environmental review to determine the preferred site

Phase IV: Permitting / Property Acquisition - Post Final EIS, anticipated 2028

  • Permitting and property acquisition of the selected site will occur 
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The first phase of the project includes building on the CSWMP Appendix H "Siting guidelines for solid waste handling facilities" and the 2023 technical memorandum from the RSWSS. 

Consultants developed siting criteria and, to ensure multiple perspectives are considered, the county formed a Siting Review Committee (SRC) comprised of representatives from multiple county departments. Input on the siting criteria will be gathered from the Regional Solid Waste Systems Steering Committee (RSWSSC), the Solid Waste Advisory Commission (SWAC), local cities and the public. 

Once finalized, the siting criteria will be used to evaluate and rank qualified sites within the search area, resulting in a short list of three to five potential sites. Public involvement alongside technical analysis will determine the two potential sites to evaluate and analyze through the environmental review process and the final selection of a preferred site.

Search area

The draft map below shows the area being considered for the new site and the existing transfer station locations.

The Clark County Washington boundary with the three existing transfer stations (West Vancouver Materials Recovery Facility, Central Transfer Station and Washougal Transfer Station) marked on the map. The north county siting study area is shaded teal and is located north of State Route 502/NE 219th Street, south of the northern boundary of Clark County, and between the east and west boundaries of the County.

 

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Choosing a site for a new transfer facility is a multi-dimensional, multi-step process that considers operational needs, site constraints and the needs and concerns of the service area communities. The siting process considers noise, odor, traffic and economics, such as effects on property values and construction costs, as well as equity and social justice.

Potential sites will be identified and evaluated based on 35 selection criteria some of which are listed below:

  • Must be outside the 100-year floodplain and ecologically or culturally sensitive areas;
  • Must not be within residential zoned areas;
  • Must not be near schools or parks;
  • Must meet the minimum acreage requirement (15 usable acres);
  • Must be located near the population centroid of the north county service area;
  • Must accommodate the efficient movement of collection vehicles, customers, and transfer trailers to and from the site; and
  • Must be located reasonably close to essential utilities including water, sewer and three-phase electrical power.

Current conditions, technical analysis and community feedback will help inform the final site recommendation.

Contact information

Solid Waste and Recycling Division
564.397.7352
Email

Public comment form