2020 Holiday Farm Fire Recovery and Sustainable Redevelopment

HDR partnered with Lane County to help advance a resilient, community-centered wastewater solution for Blue River, Oregon, supporting long-term recovery and sustainable redevelopment for this rural, unincorporated community following the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire.

We led a comprehensive wastewater feasibility study to evaluate viable collection, treatment and governance strategies that align with regulatory requirements and the community’s vision. This effort reflects a clear understanding of Oregon’s land use framework, including density limitations and restrictions on sewer system development, as well as the environmental sensitivity of the McKenzie River — the primary drinking water source for the Eugene-Springfield region and a protected watershed under the state’s Three Basin Rule.

HDR’s scope included alternatives development and evaluation, demand forecasting, financial and lifecycle cost analysis, hydrogeologic and geohazard assessments, and concept-level (10%) design supported by construction cost estimates. The study also examined implementation pathways, including the formation of a wastewater district under updated state legislation secured by Lane County to enable progress in Blue River.

Preliminary findings identified decentralized wastewater systems at two key sites — Blue River Park and Three Sisters Meadows — as feasible near-term solutions, each with a projected capacity of 2,500 gallons per day and estimated construction costs of $3.5 million to $4.3 million. Ongoing groundwater monitoring and modeling inform future scalability while safeguarding nearby surface and groundwater resources.

Through this work, our team is helping Lane County navigate complex technical, regulatory and environmental considerations to deliver practical, community-focused solutions. The outcome is a clear, actionable roadmap that supports Blue River’s recovery while protecting critical natural resources and enabling a more resilient economic future.