The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming

Town moves ahead with landfill plan

Council looks for funding sources to allow operation to continue

A few months ago, the Crook County Commission chose not to support a solid waste district, which would have allowed a board to decide whether it would be more feasible to levy a tax for the upkeep and operation of the Moorcroft landfill for the entire county or close the facility.

The decision not to move forward with the solid waste district took the choice from the county as a whole and set it on the shoulders of the Moorcroft Town Council. According to Mayor Dick Claar, the town will soon be moving forward with the goal of keeping the landfill open.

With the choice of close and transfer or upgrading and operating the facility in accordance with DEQ standards, the council has begun the application process for available grants and necessary loans from USDA.

A prerequisite for applying is a design and core drilling testing, necessitating funding of approximately $230,000 for which the council will apply to SLIB in February of 2022.

“Once we have that and it’s approved,” said Moorcroft Mayor Dick Claar, “we can go for funding for the rest.”

A question of timing lies in the expiration of the existing expansion permit in January.

“Hopefully, DEQ extends our permit,” Claar expounded. “I think they’ll grant our permit, but then, we’ll be looking at another one before we get the money to get started with construction.”

 
 
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