Enemies slam potential Deschutes County landfills in Millican Valley as exams begin

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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Three proposed Deschutes County landfills in the Millican Valley are drawing early opposition from some members of the public, ahead of a Tuesday meeting of the county’s solid waste advisory committee.

The pushback comes in the early stages of a process to review 13 possible locations, expressing concerns and seeking more details about where the landfill will go, selection criteria and how surrounding areas, wildlife and water supply could be affected, as well as hikers and the general public.

Bend’s Frankie Watson said he believed the historic Millican Valley was “at risk” from the possible discharge, with a “high risk” of contamination of the underground aquifer.

“Please don’t gamble with our future, our children’s future and the lifeblood of central Oregon,” Watson wrote in an email shared with NewsChannel 21.

Matthew Hyman, meanwhile, wrote, “As a natural resource of recreation, wildlife and cultural significance, the Millican Valley should NOT be on the table as an option for a new landfill.”

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee, which meets from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, began reviewing 13 potential sites last month, beginning the process of replacing the Knott landfill in southeast Bend when it will reach capacity, estimated in about seven years.

Deschutes County began looking for a new landfill to replace Knott decades ago, also discussing at that time whether to ship the waste to a regional landfill in the Columbia River Gorge. This debate became politically predictable, until the county determined that it could earn Knott Landfill more life years instead.

County Solid Waste Director Chad Centola said site-specific searches are currently underway and the list should be narrowed down to 3-5 sites this spring, for further assessment and analysis over the course of the year. ‘Next year.

An open house on April 6 is scheduled to review the finalist sites. But a SWAC recommendation to county commissioners isn’t likely until spring 2024, Centola said, leading to a thorough and formal public process.

Blake Mayfield will have his full report tonight on NewsChannel 21 at Five.

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