We live in this beautiful state of Wyoming for a reason.  We all have stories and we all have had to fight for what we love.  Do you want to see your state land that you hike, bike, hunt, and explore with your family devastated?  We are fighting to have our voices heard and revisions implemented to the current LMO (limited mining operations) permits and not let wealthy businesses and state government dictate our counties and our communities future without our input.  Please join our fight to save this small piece of Wyoming and enable us to come together and fight for our state, our friends, our neighbors, and your piece of nature in your backyard that might be next.  

We, the undersigned, stand united in our opposition to permitting gravel pit operations within the confines of Wyoming State Lands school section, Coates Road, Squaw Creek area, and the surrounding region. This endeavor threatens not only the tranquility of our community but also poses significant risks to our health, environment, and economic stability.

*Proposed Area for gravel pit*

 

 

 

 

• Health Hazards: The proximity of this proposed mine to residential areas, schools, retirement facilities, and businesses raises grave concerns about dust pollution. Exposure to crystalline silica, a byproduct of extraction activities, poses severe health risks to our families, especially our children attending the nearby schools. The operation will greatly increase dust and particulate matter, becoming severe under Casper’s windy conditions, affecting the entire community.  

https://www.nosilicadust.com/how-far-can-respirable-dust-actually-travel/

•  Recreation and Public Use:  The proposed gravel pit would alter wildlife patterns while limiting hunters access affecting local and regional hunters.  It would also alter hiking, biking, and horseback use along the base of the mountain within the community.
• Water and Environmental Concerns:  The project's reliance on limited water resources that feed into the Platte River raises serious doubts about its feasibility. Furthermore, the disruption to local wildlife habitats and the threat to recreational activities, tarnish the very essence of our community.  Mining even a small section of the area could severely impact water quality and disrupt the natural ecosystem, affecting both humans and wildlife.
• Property Value Impact: Research unequivocally demonstrates that the establishment of gravel pits leads to a substantial devaluation of properties within its vicinity. Our homes, our investments, and our community spaces could face irreversible harm, impacting generations to come.

https://www.plumasnews.com/letter-to-the-editor-the-effect-of-sand-aggregate-mine-on-property-values/​

https://stopthequarrycascadetownship.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/property-values-decrease-around-a-quarry/ 

• Road Infrastructure and Safety: The influx of heavy machinery and increased traffic associated with extraction operations will undoubtedly strain our local roads.  This will lead to increased safety risks for commuters and children waiting at the local school bus stops resulting in major infrastructure repairs and upgrades. This burden not only threatens public safety, particularly during winter conditions but also imposes significant maintenance costs that our community cannot bear alone. 
• Legal and Regulatory Oversights: We question the legitimacy of classifying this project as a Limited Mining Operation and the apparent lack of required notifications to local landowners. Such oversights undermine the trust between the community and regulatory bodies.
•  Financial Imbalance: The projected minimal state royalties from this operation pale in comparison to the potential costs borne by our community and the environment. This blatant financial imbalance contradicts Wyoming's commitment to the "greater good" and serves as a stark reminder of the need to prioritize the well-being of our citizens over profit margins.

In light of these concerns, we urge all stakeholders to reconsider this ill-advised project and instead focus on sustainable development initiatives that promote the long-term prosperity of our community. We implore our city, county, and state government to prioritize the preservation of our community's health, safety, and environmental integrity in the decision-making process.

BEFORE:

*Pictures of the actual state land that is being threatened* 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER:

*These pictures are a dramatic representation and not to be confused as gravel pits in Wyoming*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Please note donations are not for the organization/residents*

Please call or email the following sharing your concerns:

Natrona County Board of County Commissioners

Chairman: Peter Nicolaysen:  307.259.3055

pnicolaysen@natronacounty-wy.gov 

Vice Chairman, Jim Milne: 307.267.3188

jmilne@natronacounty-wy.gov 

Commissioner Steve Freel: 307.259.1276

sfreel@natronacounty-wy.gov 

Commissioner Dallas Laird: 307.265.6352

dlaird@natronacounty-wy.gov 

Commissioner Dave North: 307.235.9202

dnorth@natronacounty-wy.gov

Governor and his Board of State Land and Investments:  

Governor Mark Gordon: governor@wyo.gov 

Chuck Gray: chuck.gray@wyo.gov 

Kristi Racines: kristi.racines@wyo.com 

Curt Meier: curt.meier@wyo.gov 

Magen Degenfelder: superintendent.degenfelder@wyo.gov 

     
Steve Harshman
Natrona
(307) 262-8075
steve.harshman@wyoleg.gov

Bob Ide
Natrona
(307)472-0233
Bob.Ide@wyoleg.gov

Office of State Lands
Richard Shanor
Mineral Rights Leasing Manager
307-777-6643
richard.shanor@wyo.gov

Office of State Lands
Jenifer Scoggin
Director
307.777.6629
jenifer.scoggin@wyo.gov

Office of State Lands
Jason Crowder
Deputy Director
307.777.3428
jason.crowder@wyo.gov

Wyoming DEQ
Kyle Wendtland
Land Quality Administrator
(307)777-7046
kyle.wendtland@wyo.gov

Wyoming DEQ
Robin Jones
Land Quality Division District 1 Supervisor
(307)777-8956
robin.jones@wyo.gov

Wyoming Water Development
Jason Mead, PE
Director
(307) 777-7626
jason.mead@wyo.gov

State Engineer
Brandon L. Gebhart, PE
State Engineer
307-777-6150
brandon.gebhart1@wyo.gov