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Planning & Zoning backs Knife River operations at Naaktgeboren Pit for two seasons with conditions
Summary
Silver Creek Township Planning & Zoning voted 9-0 to recommend approval of Knife River operations at the Naaktgeboren Pit, with conditions from the Wright County notice and three local recommendations: approval for 2026–2027, conversion to an IUP, and a 2028 review.
Planning & Zoning voted 9-0 on March 3, 2026, to recommend approval of Knife River’s operations at the Naaktgeboren Pit subject to the Wright County public hearing conditions and three additional local recommendations. The board asked that approval be limited to two seasons — 2026 and 2027 — that the operation be converted to an Interim Use Permit (IUP), and that the item be reviewed again in 2028.
Steve Basgaad, Knife River’s Energy Service & Environmental Manager, described pit operations for the board. Supervisors raised safety concerns about trucks leaving the pit and failing to stop; one supervisor suggested cutting back berms to improve visibility, while others urged stricter enforcement of stop controls. Chair Chris Klein noted that enforcement burdens could fall to county authorities if issues persist. The motion to approve carried 9-0.
