CASPER, Wyo. — It was standing room only at the Natrona County Board of County Commissioners’ Tuesday meeting, with people filling the seats, filling additional seating that was brought in, lining the walls and even spilling out into the hallway. The reason for the turnout: a planned gravel pit that Prism Logistics hopes to create in the Squaw Creek area.
“This is one of the bigger meetings I’ve been to, where so much participation is here, in my six years now [on the Board of Commissioners],” Commissioner Jim Milne said. “I really do appreciate you guys coming out.”
“You guys got organized fast, but that’s what it takes,” Commissioner Steve Freel said.
Of those in attendance, the vast majority were in opposition to the proposed gravel pit, which would be located near the state school section at the head of Squaw Creek.
Prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, Commission Chairman Peter Nicolaysen asked for those opposed to the gravel mine to raise their hands. Hundreds of hands shot into the air. He then asked those either in support of or undecided on the mine to raise their hands. Only two hands went up — one of which belonged to Prism Logistics CEO Kyle True.
Dozens of Natrona County residents made their voices heard during the meeting. A prevailing cause for concern among the opponents to the gravel pit was health and safety.
“The particulates and the air pollution frighten us and our families,” local resident Loreen Anderson said. “If we get this pit, [my husband] will not be able to breathe because our house is 50 feet from the road. … We will be exposed [to air pollution from the mine] every moment of every day, and the amount depending on the Wyoming wind.”
The additional impact of Wyoming’s notoriously strong winds was a point of concern for many who spoke. Many voiced concerns that dirt and gravel particles kicked into the air could cause respiratory problems, including mesothelioma and bronchitis, for people in the area.
“For wind speeds of 20 mph — which doesn’t usually occur because it’s usually a lot higher than that — it affects 3.7 miles,” resident Daniel Rust said. “Just the other day, we had winds of up to 99 mph. They say 49.7 mph affects up to 9.2 miles. Well, that’s most of Casper.”
Bonnie Wilson, who lives in the Squaw Creek area, told commissioners that her house receives its water from a nearby well, which she worries could be contaminated if the gravel mine is built.
“There’s a wetland area on Squaw Creek, which supports not only the wildlife in our area but provides a filtering system for our water downstream,” she said. “We have several hundred feet of creek on our property and our well provides for our home and property.”
Jason Knopp, a Casper resident with expertise as an environmental engineer, said the gravel pit could have severe impacts on the waterways.
“With the mountain and everyone on the west side of the community, they do live off this water that comes off the mountain. It’s a complicated water system,” he said.
Knopp explained that the mountain’s waterways consist of four components: two storage systems, a conduit system and a distribution system.
“If he wants to go in and mine 30, 40 feet of that … deposit, that’s a lot of storage water that we depend on,” Knopp added. “He would significantly change the flow of the water coming off the mountain to the residents who use the water. … This is a complicated watershed, and so there is a significant risk with this mining operation.”
Several noted that it’s not only the health and well-being of human residents that could be hurt, but also that of the many wildlife species in the area, such as fish and deer.
Another common concern voiced by residents was to the area’s natural beauty.
“One of the biggest things that drew us to the area was the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood,” Trisha Teague said. “The light pollution and the sound that would happen on a 24-hour-run thing would be detrimental to a lot of things.”
“It’s one of the most beautiful areas,” added local resident Sheila Drelicharz.
Bureau of Land Management employee Casey Cheesbrough shared a personal story of a time a coworker took him to Squaw Creek, an experience that sticks with him to this day.
“It’s a very special place, and worthy of protection,” he said.
Natrona County resident Judy Jones said she recently took a trip out to the Squaw Creek neighborhood and found a house downwind and only a short distance from the location of the proposed mine.
“Downwind — they’re in a ditch,” she said. “That mine is going to destroy their home.”
Yet another concern among many in attendance was that the addition of a gravel pit could potentially have negative impacts on several user groups who utilize the area in question for a variety of things.
Nancy Pickett named several recreational activities that could be impeded by the mine, including bicycle races that were planned to be held this year.
“The only place we were going to have our normal [race] that’s been going on for years was Squaw Creek,” she said.
“We need more places to get healthy,” resident Roberto Fars added.
True was also in attendance and spoke in defense of the proposed mine. He assured commissioners and residents that he’s doing his due diligence and following all proper protocols.
“We have completed our testing. We’ve gone up and sampled different areas up there, and preliminarily I can report there seems to be a good potential reserve there. We have not finished assessing the testing we have done to determine the size of the reserve and the quality and applicability to the needs of the Casper area.”
True also stressed that transparency is a priority to him.
“We can commit tonight to total transparency. We’re not trying to sneak up on anybody,” he said.
However, many in attendance also had issue with True’s statements.
“Mr. True came in, spoke to us and said that one of his goals has always been to be transparent. My understanding is that that is not true,” Barb Meryhew said. “From the [informational] meeting we went to last Thursday night, we learned that this was a process that’s been in the works for over two years.”
As for the county’s role in the whole process, Nicolaysen said that the land was owned by the state and leased to Prism Logistics without county officials knowing. For the gravel mine to be approved, the county will need to grant a conditional use permit, which would require a public hearing and considerable deliberation before approval. However, Nicolaysen said a request for a permit has not even been filed yet.
Approval criteria for a conditional use permit includes:
- That there won’t be an overburdening of county services
- That there won’t be substantial traffic, parking or environmental problems
- That it won’t impair the use of adjacent properties or alter the character of the neighborhood
- That it won’t detrimentally affect the health, safety and wellness of the residents or nullify the intent of the plan or resolution
“There is a time and a place for everything,” Casper Mountain resident Tracy Lamont said. “This isn’t the place for a gravel pit.”
