Commissioners approve conditional-use permit for Buffalo Creek gravel pit

The Natrona County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 unanimously approved CUP 25-02, a conditional-use permit requested by County Road and Bridge to operate a roughly 40‑acre gravel pit on Buffalo Creek Ranch Road.

Planning staff told the commission the site lies in the ranching, agriculture and mining (RAM) zoning district and that staff findings show the application meets the approval criteria in chapter 5, section 7 of the 2022 zoning resolution. Staff said the nearest plotted septic systems are more than 3,500 feet away and that county fire and public-health review raised no objections. Staff recommended approval with the standard staff conditions.

The applicant described the operation as intended to supply gravel for maintaining county roads in the immediate area; the road and bridge department confirmed material would be used locally rather than hauled back to Casper. No members of the public spoke for or against the permit during the hearing.

Commissioner Layard (commissioner spoken in the hearing) moved to approve the conditional-use permit with the staff recommendations; a second was made and the motion passed on an affirmative voice vote. The commission closed the public hearing and entered no additional conditions beyond those proposed by staff.

Next steps: the county will incorporate the staff findings into the motion and proceed with the permit oversight per normal county standards; any required DEQ or wastewater permits for on‑site sanitary facilities remain the responsibility of the applicant.

The vote: motion carried unanimously.