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Residents press Box Elder council to oppose proposed gravel pit east of city
Summary
Residents and local leaders urged the Box Elder City Council to oppose a conditional-use permit for a gravel/mining operation east of the city, citing safety, traffic and environmental concerns ahead of a Pennington County hearing set for June 23.
Kevin Case, a Box Elder resident and superintendent of Douglas schools, and other citizens urged the council to oppose a proposed gravel pit just east of the city limits, saying the operation would conflict with the city’s master plan and raise safety, traffic and environmental risks.
"I don't think that a rock pit or a gravel pit fits into the plan for the future, especially within a mile of the city," Case said, asking council members to be visible at county zoning meetings and to consider formal opposition. He said school bus routes and nearby homes would be affected.
Randy Olivier, who identified himself as a real estate broker and parent, told the council that applicants have proposed sustained heavy-truck traffic: "5 to 6 days a week, 10 hours a day for 4 years minimum," and warned about dust, noise and road wear. Olivier said nearby counties have already spent significant funds repairing aggregate-damaged roads and questioned who would cover the shortfall if the miner pays only a portion.
Mayor's remarks later in the meeting confirmed the council had attended a May 12 Pennington County planning meeting and that the county tabled the related conditional-use permit until June 23 so matters could be considered together. The mayor said the city intends to place the topic on an upcoming council agenda for further discussion and encouraged residents to attend the county meeting at 9 a.m. on June 23.
No formal city action was taken on the gravel-pit proposal during this meeting; the council limited itself to listening to public comment and planning a future agenda item. The Pennington County Planning Commission is the decision-making body for the conditional-use permit; Box Elder officials and residents said they will testify before that body.
The council did not vote on any measure opposing the permit at this session. The mayor said the matter will be discussed at a future council meeting (tentatively June 3 or June 17) so the city can determine its position.
