Residents told the Garfield County Commission they observed large diesel containers and frequent commercial fuel transfers at an unpermitted gravel operation and urged immediate enforcement because of contamination risk to wells and valley groundwater.

A resident identified during the meeting as a member of the Yard family showed photos and drone footage and told commissioners, “That green container is full of diesel. And as you can see, it's sitting right on the ground.” The resident said there was no secondary containment around the tanks, that heavy equipment used the adjacent road, and that trucks had been seen filling the containers on site.

County staff and commissioners said the operation did not hold the required state permit for commercial fuel storage. The commission confirmed the county sent a certified notice to the site owner and described coordination with the state fire marshal and with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to inspect the property. Commissioners said the sheriff's office can pursue criminal or civil penalties if violations continue.

The county described steps available if the owner refuses to comply: penalty charges, removal of containers at the owner’s expense, or a county-led cleanup with later cost recovery. Commissioners said bonds and mining/conditional-use permit rules apply to commercial gravel operations and that the county had directed the planning office to enforce zoning rules; a county planner said a commercial gravel pit is not permitted in that agricultural zoning without a conditional use permit.

Sheriff's staff present at the meeting said criminal and civil penalties are possible, and that the county would remove noncompliant equipment if necessary. County officials said they had told the operator that if the operation continued without permits, they would take enforcement action and that the operators had been served formal notices.

Commissioners urged neighbors to preserve photos and drone footage for inspectors and to cooperate with county staff during the site visit. County staff said an inspector from DEQ has committed to a site visit with county staff and the state fire marshal prior to any enforcement action being finalized.

The commission did not vote on an enforcement resolution at the meeting; commissioners said staff and the sheriff were authorized to proceed with inspections and enforcement under existing county code and state law.