BEND, OR -- Two areas east of Bend remain under consideration for the next Deschutes County Landfill, after the Knott Landfill reaches capacity in 2029.

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee heard public comment Tuesday on the Moon Pit mine, near the Badlands Wilderness, and a spot in the Millican Valley, known as Roth East.

Craig Miller, with the Oregon Natural Desert Association, has concerns about both, “You'll be setting precedent by citing a landfill right on the boundary of the wilderness area. If you go that direction. On the other hand, I believe the Roth East is even worse in terms of wildlife. I think it's such an important corridor that it's very likely that those three Sage Grouse groups will blank out if the site is located at Roth East.”

“I've also hiked around the badlands quite a few times and around the Moon Pit area and the dry river canyon. I've never seen the birds in those areas,” said Steve Wright who lives in the Millican Valley. He worries about traffic safety, as well, “The highway shoulders are very narrow, I believe from the Horse Ridge Summit all the way towards Millican, Brothers, Hampton.”

Roth East would cost less to develop at $36-million comparted to an estimated $50-million to $64-million for Moon Pit, but would cost  $8.4-million per year to operate, about $800-thousand more than Moon Pit, according to consultant estimates.

The committee will meet in March and April, allowing for more public comment, before sending a recommendation to county commissioners, who could make a decision by the end of June.

Photo: Moon Pit Top Location, Roth East Lower Right