ORS 459.017 Relationship of state to local governments in solid waste management

The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:

The planning, location, acquisition, development and operation of landfills is a matter of statewide concern.

Local government units have the primary responsibility for planning for solid waste management.

Where the solid waste management plan of a local government unit has identified a need for a landfill, the state has a responsibility to assist local government and private persons in establishing such a site.

It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly that any action taken by the Environmental Quality Commission to establish a landfill under ORS 459.049 be recognized as an extraordinary measure that should be exercised only in the closest cooperation with local government units that have jurisdiction over the area affected by the proposed establishment of a landfill.