Daniels County commissioners approve moving forward with pesticide-container grinding site in Scobey

Daniels County commissioners voted to move forward with a proposed pesticide-container grinding center in Scobey after reviewing a draft memorandum of understanding with the state.

An agency official who briefed the board said the proposal would allow the state contractor to run a grinder on-site and then remove milled material for recycling. “We have an opportunity to have a pesticide container grinding center here in Scobey,” the agency official said.

Commissioners asked how the program would handle liquid-contaminated containers, who would run the grinder and who would pay initial site-preparation costs. The official said the state would transport milled material and that the county would serve as a secondary location; the county would provide a concrete slab and maintain power and security at the site. A commissioner noted the draft agreement appears to require the county to pay startup costs and be reimbursed later under the terms of the MOU.

The board made and approved a motion to move forward with the project; a commissioner seconded the motion and the vote was taken by voice.

Why it matters: Daniels County officials said the county produces a substantial share of agricultural pesticide containers in the region, and a permanent grinder would let residents drop off containers more conveniently than the previous periodic pickup truck schedule. Commissioners said the grinder could reduce transport burdens for rural residents while creating a local recycling opportunity if the state’s operational plan and MOU terms are acceptable.

What’s next: County staff will review the draft MOU in more detail, check specs for site preparation (slab, power), and confirm reimbursement and operational roles with the state supervisor identified in the agreement. The commission voted to proceed with the project subject to final review.