Council to re-launch waste district bid

After Moorcroft was reprimanded by the DEQ for the condition of its landfill, Mayor Dick Claar has re-launched an active pursuit of a solid waste district.

Claar says he intends to send each municipality within the borders of Crook County a letter this week asking for their written support of a district before the Crook County commissioners meet in December. At that time, Claar plans to approach them for a long-awaited discussion and, he hopes, a positive decision regarding regionalization of the landfill.

If the commissioners grant a solid waste district, Moorcroft will ultimately be out of the garbage business, much to the council’s delight.

“It would help our community and neighbors, not just our town,” Councilman Ben Glenn says of the advantages of a district. “I think a solid waste district would be good for all Crook County.”

If formed, the district would evaluate the cost of installing a lined pit and garner the necessary money through mill levies to properly manage putting that plan into action, which will please the DEQ, and also administer the day-to-day operation, which will alleviate the load on the town.

However, on the flip side, “If the solid waste district doesn’t go through,” the mayor ruminates, “I don’t know what the options are, but we’re getting pretty narrow.”

He says that, if Moorcroft has to find a way to continue to take sole responsibility for the landfill in the future, “We would be assuming a huge debt. I don’t know if that’s realistic.”

The only other option mentioned as a worst-case scenario is closing the place down. If this happens, tipping fees are likely to increase or, as was seen last year during the segregation of town and county garbage, there could be further dumping along the road or on BLM lands and waterways.