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Township recommends two‑season approval for Knife River operations at Naaktgeboren Pit with safety conditions
Summary
Silver Creek Township Planning & Zoning recommended approval of Knife River operations at the Naaktgeboren Pit for two seasons (2026–2027) with conditions and three township recommendations, citing truck safety concerns; the motion carried 9-0.
Silver Creek Township Planning & Zoning recommended conditional approval of Knife River’s operations at the Naaktgeboren Pit, voting unanimously to attach township recommendations and a review schedule.
At the March 3 meeting, Knife River’s Energy Service & Environmental Manager Steve Basgaad described operations at the Naaktgeboren Pit. Supervisors raised safety concerns about trucks leaving the pit and failing to stop; proposals to reduce the risk included cutting back berms to improve sight lines or stepping up enforcement of stop controls.
Supervisor Helman moved, and Supervisor Geyen seconded, to approve Knife River with the conditions listed in the Wright County public hearing notice and with three township recommendations: limit approval to two seasons (2026 and 2027); convert the approval to an Interim Use Permit (IUP); and schedule a further review in 2028. The motion carried 9-0.
The township’s recommendations are procedural and intended to provide a near‑term reassessment point for traffic and safety impacts around the pit. The motion references the Wright County public hearing notice for the written permit conditions; the township recommended the conversion to an IUP to formalize oversight and ensure a follow‑up review in 2028.
The Planning & Zoning commission listed no additional permit changes in the motion; its next formal review of the site was set for 2028.
