Residents raise air-quality and arsenic concerns over Painted Rock Mine during county public comment
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Summary
During public comment, resident Jim Jackson told the board about a State Air Quality Board meeting on the Painted Rock Mine and reported community concerns about arsenic levels in private wells and the mine's plan to use water to spray trucks. He urged the county's elected officials to defend residents' health and press regulators.
During the public-comment period, Jim Jackson urged county officials to press state regulators about the Painted Rock Mine near Douglas County and reported community health concerns.
Jackson said he and other residents attended a State Air Quality Board meeting and that regulators appeared receptive to public input. He reported that the mine has used its groundwater allotment from the Hayborne Well and is proposing to spray trucks with water to control dust; Jackson said residents expect operators to object because sprayed dust sticks to vehicle surfaces and drivers will complain. He also said arsenic readings in wells "have almost doubled since Painted Rock Mine has been in existence" and that arsenic-contaminated water used for dust control and sprayed on road surfaces could spread contaminants.
Jackson urged county and other elected officials to prioritize environmental health and hold operators to regulatory requirements.
No board action was taken during the public-comment time; the concerns were entered into the record and referenced by staff as part of routine community input.