Advocacy in Action: Springfield Chamber Testifies Against “Super-Site” Bill
On May 20, 2025, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter in opposition to House Bill 3971, which would allow Lane County to approve land use applications for the development of mixed-waste processing facilities on specified lands, overriding local discretionary review. The bill includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon passage.
The Chamber has been monitoring the bill closely due to concerns about its potential to bypass public input and local review processes. Should the county decide to move forward with this complex and costly project, the bill would allow it to do so without a public hearing—even in the face of both community support and skepticism. The Chamber’s concerns with the project encompass potential economic impacts, including increased costs to residential and commercial consumers.
Read the Springfield Chamber’s full letter of opposition below.
May 20, 2025
House Committee on Rules
RE: Opposition to HB 3971
Dear Chair Bowman and Members of the Committee,
Thank you for offering time on your calendar for a public hearing on HB 3971.
I want to begin by acknowledging committee members Boshart-Davis, Drazan, and Elmer for raising thoughtful concerns about this “super-site” bill. We share many of those concerns and appreciate your willingness to press advocates for clear responses regarding the bill’s intent, process, and potential impacts on our community.
The introduction of HB 3971 came as a surprise. Until now, we had remained hopeful that Lane County would give due weight to the outcomes of a thorough land use due diligence process and the extensive public testimony submitted over the past year. We had expected the Board to recognize the unavoidable conclusion: this proposal is fiscally unsustainable and operationally unviable. It poses significant cost burdens and risks to stakeholders, including regional taxing districts, taxpayers, residential and commercial customers, as well as small waste haulers and large-scale recyclers, many of whom you heard from during the hearing.
It is particularly disappointing to see some Lane County legislators push to bypass land use regulations for what appear to be “pet projects,” while small and mid-sized businesses face steep, often prohibitive, regulatory barriers when pursuing much-needed housing and commercial development.
Our concerns about the long-term economic impacts of this proposal are serious and ongoing. Funding such a facility would require raising tipping fees, increasing costs for both residential and commercial users. More concerning is the prospect of locking in these fees over decades, which would severely limit our region’s flexibility to invest in future infrastructure, innovate, and adapt. Ironically, this comes at a time when Lane County’s private-sector waste and recycling companies are leading the state in materials recovery, thanks to a competitive and dynamic marketplace.
In short, HB 3971 is unnecessary. It exposes Lane County residents and businesses to long-term financial risks without delivering sustainable benefits. Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued dedication to balanced and thoughtful policymaking.
Sincerely,
Vonnie Mikkelsen
President and CEO
More About the Springfield Chamber’s Business Advocacy Efforts
As a trusted convener and provider of business resources, the Springfield Chamber is committed to fostering policies and incentives that contribute to our competitive position in private sector job creation, retention, and economic growth. The Chamber recognizes the systemic interdependencies of a healthy economy and provides an ear and a voice for local business at the confluence of government, commerce, and community. Through a robust platform of member advocacy services, the Chamber advocates for business by increasing visibility, dialogue, and representation at local, state, and federal policy circles around issues of impact and interest to their members.
