It’s not every day that Deschutes County Commissioners face a decision that may cost $1 billion over the next 100 years.

Commissioners face a sweeping environmental choice that touches on water quality, the viewscape, wildlife, transportation distance and much more. It’s in the decision for the replacement of the Knott landfill.

Where should the new county landfill be?

We get it if it’s hard to work up excitement over a landfill. But it will cost millions upon millions and that is just to get it started. If you live in Deschutes County, you will be paying for it in one way or another. The landfill needs to be a place that will serve the children of today, their children and not leave a mess for them to clean up.

The decision has been narrowed down to two locations, named Moon Pit and Roth East. It’s not a simple choice between the two, as far as we can tell.

They are both far out of Bend, east of town along Highway 20. You may have noticed the site of Moon Pit before if you ever hike the Badlands, because its entrance is not far from a trailhead entrance. Roth East is further east, closer to Pine Mountain.

Moon Pit may have somewhat lower lifespan costs. It has higher upfront costs. The choice is about more than just money, though.

“The decision between Moon Pit and Roth East hinges on a nuanced evaluation of advantages, challenges, and costs,” says a draft site evaluation report. “Moon Pit provides existing infrastructure and potential cost offsets but faces zoning and access road complexities as well as substantially higher upfront development costs. Roth East boasts efficiency and favorable soil conditions, but is challenged by greater infrastructure needs, water availability risks, wildlife impacts, landowner concerns, and haul costs.”

You can read the complete draft report here: tinyurl.com/MoonorRoth.

The Oregon Natural Desert Association, a local environmental group that fought for protection for the Badlands, has already expressed concern that neither site will be good for sage grouse. They will both have impacts on other wildlife – pronghorn, mule deer, golden eagles and more. Both sites will also have impacts on wilderness recreation. The group does conclude in submitted testimony that development at Moon Pit “may be less harmful to these values and resources than at Roth East, assuming implementation of a full suite of compensatory conservation measures.”

The group’s testimony should matter in this choice, but so should yours. You can trust that the Deschutes County Commissioners will make the right $1 billion choice or you can get involved. There is more information here: tinyurl.com/Landfilldebate. A county committee meets Tuesday to discuss the draft site evaluation report.