Illegal dumping on county land costs time and money

At the April 7 meeting, the Big Horn County Commissioners were informed of trash that was dumped on county land near Little Dry Creek off County Road 26. The County Road and Bridge Department had to send equipment and personnel out to clean up the trash. They took four truck loads out, including a TV, metal and five to six couches and chairs. Even after four loads, there is still trash on the site.

The commission and Road and Bridge staff discussed whether accessibility to the landfills is playing a factor in the dumping. They have heard from the public that the hours and days that the landfills are open don’t always line up with when the public can go to the site.

Another possible reason is that people don’t want to pay the fees at the landfill. When citizens dump illegally, the cost is passed on to the taxpayers, including themselves. County staff, equipment and fuel are used to clean the sites. Dump sites often have furniture, tires, appliances and possibly hazardous waste including motor oil, antifreeze, needles, dead animals and human waste.

There are numerous illegal dump sites throughout the Big Horn Basin on county, public and some private lands. The commissioners hope that people will report the sites on county land as well as the persons that are using them. 

Other Business

• John Bubbla from the American Legion Post 29 discussed the civil war cannons. He would like to see them moved in front of the courthouse. He also presented an option to cover them. The county is going to get cost estimates for the concrete pads. 

• Natalie Wardell from the County Search and Rescue Foundation discussed training expenses.

• Paul Thur and Stephanie May gave department reports for Airport and Land Planning.