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Crook County scrambles after septic-facility operator gives notice; staff weigh takeover, lease or city partnership
Summary
Operator 2 Springs Ranch gave the county notice to end its lease of the landfill septic treatment facility effective Dec. 24. County staff outlined options including county takeover, leasing to Muck Septic, or routing treatment through a city facility; commissioners asked staff to pursue DEQ permit transfer options and return with recommendations.
The Crook County Board of Commissioners spent a large portion of its Oct. 16 meeting addressing an urgent notice from 2 Springs Ranch that it will terminate its lease of the county’s landfill septic treatment facility effective Dec. 24, leaving no local operator for septic disposal unless the county moves quickly.
County staff described three realistic options: for the county to take the facility in-house, which would require buying or leasing equipment and hiring one to two full‑time staff; contracting with another private operator such as Muck Septic/Superior Sanitation to run the facility on county property under an interim agreement; or investigating whether a city treatment plant could accept emergency loads while a longer-term solution is secured.
The landfill manager (as identified on the record) said equipment and operational costs are substantial: a used pumper truck might cost roughly $120,000 while a new truck could approach $300,000, and spreading equipment for land application would add to startup costs. 2 Springs Ranch has offered to sell its tractor and spreading equipment for about $50,000 and to donate some tanks, which could reduce initial capital needs.
Dan and Dusty Stenkamp, owners of Muck Septic and Superior Sanitation (identified in staff remarks), signaled interest in leasing and operating the facility, saying they have two permitted trucks and could staff an interim operation while they secure long‑term land for spreading. Staff also noted limits on available land: the county has roughly 80 acres previously preapproved for land application but that is unlikely to be sufficient long term.
Staff told commissioners the county currently receives $12 per gallon under the existing agreement and that 2 Springs Ranch received roughly $289,000 from the county last year under that arrangement; exact future revenue projections would depend on volume. Commissioners repeatedly raised concerns about liability if the county holds the DEQ permit while a third party operates the facility: county staff confirmed DEQ requires reporting tied to the permit-holder and that the county would retain ultimate reporting and liability while the permit is on the county’s name.
The board instructed staff to consult DEQ immediately about transfer options and short-term interim arrangements, to continue discussions with Muck Septic about a possible interim lease, and to return to the board within a few weeks with options and any required forms for DEQ. No formal motion to accept operations was made — the board’s direction was to pursue permit transfer and interim solutions and bring fully fleshed proposals back for formal action.
Next steps: staff will (1) confer with DEQ on permit transfer logistics and liability implications, (2) pursue talks with Muck Septic and other interested operators about interim lease terms, (3) evaluate whether available county acres can support land application and, if not, search for alternatives, and (4) return to the board with a recommended path and any budget impacts.
