Marion County is nationally-recognized for its integrated solid waste system that ensures the safe disposal of waste countywide. The system prioritizes waste reduction and recycling and recovers energy from remaining material through Covanta’s Energy-from-Waste facility.

Due to your efforts – county residents and businesses – Marion County maintains one of the highest recycling rates in the state. Including credits received for reuse, home composting and waste reduction programs, our communities recycled 59.7% of all waste generated in 2014. County residents can be proud that only 8% of trash is landfilled, while the U.S. average is approximately 64%.

For anyone ready to go beyond basic recycling – we have a class for you! The county's Master Recycler Program provides expert instruction to people who live and work in Marion County. The class covers all aspects of solid waste management and ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible.

The seven-week course will be held on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., September 22 through November 3 and includes two Saturday field trips.

Registration closes September 11, and space is limited to 30 students. Visit our website for more information or to register for the Master Recycler class. 

The Marion County Board of Commissioners recently referred three measures related to marijuana to the November ballot. Measure 91, Oregon’s recreational marijuana initiative, failed in Marion County by 51.56 percent. State law allows the county to put to a vote the future expansion of recreational marijuana businesses outside of city limits.

Voters will determine:

• Whether to allow the establishment of medical marijuana processing sites and dispensaries in unincorporated Marion County. This measure will not affect medical marijuana grow sites or existing permitted dispensaries.
• Whether to allow the establishment of recreational marijuana businesses including retailers in unincorporated Marion County.
• Whether to establish a three percent local tax if the voters allow recreational marijuana businesses.

None of these measures encroach on an individual’s right to possess, grow or use marijuana under Measure 91. Again, these measures affect only the unincorporated areas of the county and do not affect the authority of incorporated cities to allow recreational marijuana businesses. For more information, visit our website. 

Federal officials from the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently spoke to a packed meeting of Marion County’s Public Safety Coordinating Council. Both groups were invited to talk about their collaboration with local agencies and answer questions from public safety officials.

Greg Bretzing, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Portland field office, reminded participants that while traditionally Oregon isn’t a focus of terrorist activity, there were two high profile cases last year: the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation and the tragic shooting at Umpqua Community College near Roseburg. Agent Bretzing complimented local police agencies for the assistance provided at both incidents.

David Drasin, ICE Assistant Field Office Director; Elizabeth Godfrey, ICE Deputy Field Office Director; and Corey Heaton, ICE Assistant Field Office Director, responded to questions that council members had  prepared in advance for the panel. The council learned there is no formal definition of “sanctuary” county or city and that ICE actions are governed by a November 2014 memo from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary.   

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office adheres to an Oregon law (ORS 181.850) enacted in the 1980s that prevents local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws. A 2014 federal court ruling, Olivares v. Clackamas County, upheld the plaintiff’s Fourth Amendment rights protecting citizens against seizures and also ruled that ICE detainers are administrative requests and not mandatory. Based on this ruling, Marion County’s jail only holds a foreign-born person based on local charges, probable cause holds or federal judicial warrants.

For more information on these and other public safety issues, visit the council website. 

The potential for lead-contaminated water has been highlighted recently in national, state and local news. As a precautionary measure, the county is voluntarily testing water at all county facilities – owned and leased – to ensure the health and safety of our employees, clients and visitors.

We’re pleased to report that test results received to date are all passing and meet EPA standards. We’ll report back once test results are received for all facilities.  

Exposure to lead isn’t limited to public facilities. Drinking water accounts for about 10 to 20 percent of total lead exposure. People most affected by lead are children under age six. Exposure to lead dust is the most problematic for children.

For tips on what to do if you’re concerned about lead exposure, visit our website, listen to Rick Sherman’s interview on KMUZ or contact Marion County Environmental Health at (503) 588-5346 or EnvironmentalHealth@co.marion.or.us. 

The Marionberry is a cross between the Chehalem and Ollalie blackberries. Known for its large size, juiciness, sweet taste and small seeds, it was released in 1956. The Marionberry was developed by Oregon State University's Agricultural Research and Development Program and named after Marion County. Oregon is the primary producer of blackberries in the nation and the number one producer of Marionberries. 

September
National Preparedness Month

September 5
Labor Day - County business offices closed

September 10
Get Ready Salem
Oregon State Capitol

September 17
Dog Shelter License Amnesty Event 
Stayton Public Library

September 22
Prepare Out Loud Salem
NW Natural Sullivan Auditorium

October 8
Dog Shelter 10th Anniversary Celebration

October 18
Last day to register to vote for November election 

October 20
Great Oregon Shakeout

October 25
Giving People a Second Chance Community Breakfast
For more information call (503) 588-5212

Now - October 31
Gallon House Bridge Photo Contest