CASPER, Wyo. — Prism Logistics LLC’s much-maligned efforts to build a gravel mine in the Squaw Creek area recently took a step forward when the company officially filed an application for a limited mining operation with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
Should the DEQ approve the request, it would be the first step toward making the gravel pit a reality. The proposed mine also needs to be approved by the State Board of Land Commissioners before ultimately going before the Natrona County Board of County Commissioners for a conditional use permit.
If the issue does reach the Board of Commissioners’ desk for a vote, the commissioners will consider a handful of factors. Approval criteria for a conditional use permit includes:
- That there won’t be an overburdening of county services
- That there won’t be substantial traffic, parking or environmental problems
- That it won’t impair the use of adjacent properties or alter the character of the neighborhood
- That it won’t detrimentally affect the health, safety and wellness of the residents or nullify the intent of the plan or resolution
However, this step comes amid an effort from numerous area residents to halt the plans. In recent months, concerned residents have packed governmental meetings and hosted meetings of their own. They also created an ad hoc resistance group on Facebook before officially formalizing as the Casper Mountain Preservation Alliance.
At Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, county resident Carolyn Griffith presented commissioners with a petition condemning the planned gravel pit that now has nearly 6,000 signatures, she said.
Many in attendance again spoke out against the proposed mine. Among them was Maria Katherman, who said she has first-hand experience living near a gravel mine.
“The noise and the dust is real,” she said. “It usually starts at dawn, and in the summertime that means about 5:30 in the morning.”
Resident Bill Shughart said that if the gravel mine does become a reality, he’d like to see the county government make a statement by withholding business.
“The county probably purchases an awful lot of gravel to do county roads. If we don’t buy it from [Prism Logistics], he’s going to be in a hurting status,” Shughart said, referring to Prism Logistics CEO and Casper resident Kyle True. “That’s the only way we can fight back.”
Several others raised concerns over air and water quality, as well as the area’s recreation amenities. Jason Knopp, a Casper resident with expertise as an environmental engineer, spoke about the health and environmental risks the mine could pose while also noting concerns over the DEQ’s methods in approving permits. According to Knopp, the DEQ primarily looks for air pollutants without giving as much of a look at contamination of water sources.
Later, the DEQ in an email to Oil City News said with a limited mining operation and mining permits, both an air quality and water quality permit must be secured with the department.
While the issue would come before the Board of Commissioners should the state offices give the mine the OK, the issue might not even reach the board’s desk. Recently, the Board of Land Commissioners decided to look for ways to negotiate with a gravel mining company to voluntarily “relinquish” leases on state land, following the outpouring of opposition to the matter.
CORRECTION, April 18: The filing for a Limited Mining Operation is not a permit, per the DEQ. References to such have been removed.
