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Commissioners pledge review of 2022 zoning rules amid opposition to Casper Mountain gravel project; residents, petitioners, lawsuits cited
Summary
Residents and commissioners at the Jan. 7 Natrona County meeting urged an immediate review of the county's 2022 zoning resolution and debated local responses to a proposed gravel-mining project near Casper Mountain that opponents say would harm neighborhoods and wells.
Residents and commissioners at the Jan. 7 Natrona County Board of County Commissioners meeting pressed the board to reopen and revise the county's 2022 zoning resolution and to address a proposed gravel-mining operation near Casper Mountain that opponents say would harm neighborhoods and wells.
Public commenter Rosemary Sabon urged immediate action on the zoning document and criticized the county’s prior handling of zoning matters, saying residents have repeatedly raised concerns without seeing progress. Sabon referenced past hearings and said the county has not produced a “clean copy” of the 2022 zoning resolution since adoption.
Commissioner Dallas Laird described community opposition to a proposed gravel operation by a private landowner identified in the meeting as Mr. True. Laird said petitioners had gathered about 20,000 signatures opposing the project, that multiple lawsuits had been filed, and that a related Supreme Court oral argument was scheduled for Jan. 16. He urged the county to protect residents from potential harms including heavy truck traffic, dust, and damage to artesian wells.
Laird proposed several local actions commissioners could take if the project moves forward: set weight limits on county dirt roads (he cited approximately 36,000 pounds as a suggested limit), adopt speed limits on those roads, and require one-time permits for heavier vehicles. He also noted a Wyoming statute that he said prohibits mining operations within 300 feet of houses and flagged that question as potentially central to legal challenges.
Multiple commissioners agreed the 2022 zoning document contains problems they want to address. One commissioner said the document had been adopted from an outside, “canned” program that did not reflect Natrona County’s circumstances and pledged to begin a review immediately, saying they had discussed the issue with the county attorney and planning staff.
Why this matters: The zoning resolution and the contested mine affect land use, property values and daily life for residents near Casper Mountain and could shape litigation, county permitting and road-use policies for years. Commissioners indicated they will start a formal review that could lead to policy changes, staff directives or ordinance updates.
What commissioners said they will do next: Several speakers said staff and legal counsel would be involved. Commissioners indicated they had discussed the zoning review with Assistant County Attorney Jared and with planning staff and that work would start immediately. No formal ordinance or rule changes were adopted at the Jan. 7 meeting; the board’s remarks represent direction to begin review and stakeholder engagement.
Community concerns raised in public comment included private roads used as dumping sites (Midwest Heights), loss of property value if long-term mining proceeds near residential areas, possible impacts to artesian wells and public safety from heavy truck traffic.
