Planning & Zoning recommends conditional two‑season approval for Knife River Naaktgeboren Pit

Silver Creek Township Planning & Zoning recommended approval March 3 for Knife River’s operations at the Naaktgeboren Pit, citing standard conditions in the Wright County public hearing notice and local safety recommendations. The motion, made by Supervisor Helman and seconded by Supervisor Geyen, carried 9-0.

Steve Basgaad, Knife River’s Energy Service & Environmental Manager, described site operations for the pit. Board members focused on traffic and sightline safety, saying trucks leaving the pit had not reliably stopped and that sightlines near berms reduced visibility. The board recommended either cutting back berms where needed or stronger enforcement of stop requirements for haulers, noting enforcement could be difficult in practice.

The board’s three formal local recommendations were: limit approval to two seasons (2026 and 2027), convert the approval to an interim use permit (IUP), and require a review of the operation in 2028. The motion to approve with those conditions referenced the Wright County public hearing notice and passed unanimously.

The decision forwards the recommended conditions to Wright County for final permitting; the board did not specify enforcement mechanisms or penalties beyond the stated conditions. The board recorded no separate public opposition during the Knife River discussion.

The P&Z meeting record lists the action as a recommendation to Wright County; Wright County retains final permitting authority and the timing or terms of any county-level action were not specified in the transcript.