CASPER — Members of the newly formed Casper Mountain Preservation Alliance met Thursday to hear from Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray and ask him about what they can do to stop a proposed gravel mining operation on state-owned land at the base of the mountain.
Gray, a former Casper state representative, said he toured the sections of state land on the mountain area Tuesday that were leased last year by Prism Logistics and the residential and ranch properties around it. He said he learned a lot, but wouldn’t talk about why he was one of the votes that allowed the lease.
Instead, he voiced his support for their fight now against the proposed gravel pit.
He said he met with the Office of State Lands and Investments last week and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality “expressing my displeasure with their direction on this lease. They did not separate this lease with the fact that it is so close to a population center … and the fact that of the unique water system up there.”
He said the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments should have flagged the project because of the potential water quality issues and residential nature of the properties around the area. Gray also said the director of the Office of State Lands does not answer to the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners on which he sits, but instead to Gov. Mark Gordon.
‘Troubling’
Gray emphasized that as one of five members of Wyoming’s State Board of Land Commissioners he has one vote, but that he plans to advocate against any gravel mining and try and ensure that residents’ concerns be heard by Gordon and other members of the land commission.
“Every time I express my displeasure with the direction of the Office of State Lands, the governor is very clear on that fact that the director does not serve at the pleasure of the board,” he said. “The direction of the Office of State Lands is troubling, and this is another example of the errors that office has made.”
Gray said he has asked for the lease issue and the concerns of Casper residents to be on the April 4 agenda of the State Board of Land Commissioners and Gordon agreed to put it on. He encouraged the 200 people who showed up to Thursday’s meeting to be there and share their concerns.
The parameters of the public comment “have not yet been worked out,” he said. “I don’t speak on behalf of the entire board, but I think it’s very important that the other four hear from you.”
Gray said when he met with the DEQ about the gravel pit last week, he was told Prism Logistics will need limited mining operation approval, as well as stormwater and air quality permits. He said his understanding is that Prism Logistics will still need a conditional use permit from the Natrona County Commission.
Harshman To Gray: Why 5-0 Vote?
While Gray expressed support for those opposed to the gravel mine Thursday, Casper state Rep. Steve Harshman didn’t let him off the hook for earlier being in favor of it.
Harshman said locals need to keep being vocal about why they don’t want the gravel pit to the county commissioners and State Land Board members, including concerns over water quality, impacts to roads, noise and dust, and reduced recreational uses of the land.
Harshman also pointed out that Prism Logistics got its leases for the state land last June 1 and Oct. 5 through unanimous votes by the State Board of Land Commissioners — including Gray’s.
“Why is this a 5-0 vote on a consent list?” Harshman asked.
“I got a question for you Representative Harshman,” Gray responded. “Why did the Legislature adjourn so you can’t override the veto on SF 44?”
Gordon vetoed Senate File 44 earlier this week because he said it would give counties control over state lands. An amendment that would have allowed more county leverage was added by Harshman.
Casper Mountain resident Bruce Lawson told the group that he has worked to permit mining operations and that the LMO, which would be sought by Prism Logistics, requires no environmental or other reviews.
He said if someone tried to show that the environment was being impacted and filed a complaint under the Environmental Quality Act, there would be no way to prove anything because there had been no environmental review.
The newly formed alliance Wednesday appointed officers and conversations Thursday spoke of hiring an attorney to represent the group as well as better organization and messaging to state officials.
Navarro Letter To Governor
Meanwhile, Casper resident and well-known artist Chris Navarro, who has a home at the base of Casper Mountain, has been vocal about opposing the gravel operations. He sent a letter to Gordon this week requesting action to stop any proposed gravel mining on state land in the area.
“I don’t think the governor is hearing how many people don’t want this gravel pit,” he told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday.
In his letter, Navarro said the governor seems to put money and special interests over the people.
“We have over 3,000 Casper residents who have signed a petition not wanting a gravel pit placed on Casper Mountain,” he wrote. “Show us you care about our plight to protect our homes and families from having a gravel pit forced on us by our state government.
“I never received a response to may last email, and (if) I do not receive a response to this one, I will know you do not care about our situation and we will have to fight it on our own.”
At Thursday’s meeting, Carolyn Griffiths, who’s leading the new alliance of residents, encouraged the group to stay “proactive” but to be positive. She said ground rules of the alliance do not allow personal attacks.
“Mutual civility and respect is expected at all times,” she said.
Griffiths asked for a show of hands of how many planned to be at the state board hearing on April 4, and more than 50 hands shot up.
Prism Logistics Manager Kyle True has repeatedly said that he believes he would need to get a conditional use permit from Natrona County before he proceeds. He said his exploration of the state land is only a preliminary action and he understands he would need DEQ approval for the project.
“When we get to the point that we have a proposed mine operation, then we will approach the county commissioners about a conditional use plan,” he said.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
