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Rankin County supervisors deny 74-acre expansion of Elmore Tracks LLC mining permit after resident objections
Summary
After a public hearing with nearby residents expressing concerns about reclamation and visual impacts, the Rankin County Board of Supervisors voted to deny a conditional use permit request to expand a mining operation from an exempt 4-acre site to about 74.39 acres on Highway 25.
Rankin County supervisors on June 16 voted to deny a conditional use permit request from Bobby Elmore/Elmore Tracks LLC to expand a mining operation on Highway 25 from an exempt 4-acre site to roughly 74.39 acres.
The denial followed a public hearing in which nearby landowners raised concerns about how the expanded operation would be reclaimed, its visibility from Highway 25 and the effect of trucks and equipment on the neighborhood. Joe Deaton, a resident of Lazy D Farms, said he learned of the expansion only when a sign was posted and that neighbors worry about long-term reclamation and possible water features near the highway: "It's not so much about the removal of the material. It's more about what they're gonna do with it when they get through removing that material," Deaton said.
Applicant Bobby Elmore and engineer Harry Wilson of FC and E Engineering described the regulatory sequence Elmore would face if the board approved expansion. Wilson said the larger permit application requires a more extensive review by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), including stormwater and geology permits, a reclamation plan and a bond for reclamation (the applicant described a bond roughly calculated per acre). Wilson also said reclamation typically follows existing contours, permanent vegetation must be established before bond release, and that Elmore's company had a compliance record on a Madison County operation.
Supervisors who spoke on the item cited the proximity to homes and the highway and expressed skepticism that the board had enough specifics to approve a 74-acre expansion. Supervisor Jay moved to deny the conditional use request; Supervisor Steve seconded. After discussion and additional public comment urging the board to wait for detailed elevations and the full geology/stormwater paperwork, the motion to deny carried.
Staff noted the MDEQ review and public-notice processes for stormwater and the office of geology would include separate public comment periods and that those application documents would be available when filed. The board did not approve the expansion and did not direct staff to take further action on the application at that meeting.
The board opened and closed the public hearing on the matter during the June 16 session; the denial is recorded in the June 16 minutes.
