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Residents warn commissioners of potential Stanley Road closure, raise emergency-response concerns
Summary
A resident said mine drilling crews told neighbors they intend to close Stanley Road; commissioners said no permit had been filed and urged follow-up with the highway supervisor while promising to monitor road damage from mining traffic.
A concerned Elberfeld resident told the Warrick County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 12 that drilling equipment and mine activity could lead to a closure of Stanley Road and that the change would worsen emergency response times.
Pamela Evans (speaker 6) described seeing drilling rigs and said a neighbor told her crews indicated they had been permitted and planned to close the road. "This road is very heavily used... When 68 was shut down, the traffic was all routed through Elberfeld... If they have to drive from Elberfeld, take 7 Hills Road... you're talking 15 minutes easily," Evans said, noting her home is two miles from the Elberfeld Fire Department and about a four-minute drive under normal conditions.
County highway staff told Evans that Peabody (the mine operator named in conversation) must seek county approval to close a road and that no such permit had been filed as of the meeting. Commissioners advised Evans to continue working with Bobby Howard (county road supervisor) and asked staff to follow up on any documented road damage caused by mining traffic.
What happens next: County staff will ask mining operators to consult local stakeholders if closure or heavy use is planned; the highway supervisor will monitor road conditions and pursue remediation if mining activity damages county roads.
