Where they stand on Coates Road mine (2024)

The Coates Road issue may be the thornie*st concern facing a newly elected Natrona County commissioner, so we asked the candidates on the Aug. 20 primary ballot to state where they stand.

Prism Logistics seeks to build a 15-acre gravel mine on school trust land on Coates Road at the base of Casper Mountain but hasn't yet filed an application for a Conditional Use Permit.

Arthur Youngberg

I have not seen a mine plan, the ground control plan for the mine. There are a lot of unknowns, like a reclamation plan life span or mine dust control plan. Once I have seen these, I can make a better-informed opinion.

Dave North (incumbent)

As a sitting commissioner, this will be coming before the commission as a request for a Conditional Use Permit. It will have to be presented to the planning and zoning board first before it can be presented to the commission.There are seven requirements that must all be met for a [Conditional Use Permit] to be granted. Please go to the county Planning and Zoning web site to see the requirements. Because the information has not be presented to the commission and I have not been able to examine a request, I won’t be able to answer the question at this time. There will also be adequate opportunity for public comment. The county does require that all WYDEQ permits be obtained prior to requesting a [Conditional Use Permit]. To the best of my knowledge, I am not aware that that has occurred to date, and I am not aware of the Limited Mining Operation permit being granted by the state.

Paul Bertoglio

Due to the failure of the state to adequately review and place appropriate use restrictions on the state lands associated with the proposed gravel mine, the County Commissioners are likely to find themselves making a tough decision on whether to approve a Conditional Use Permit. The criteria for approval of a [Conditional Use Permit] is often in the eyes of the beholder, but in this case, I believe three of the seven criteria for approval are going to be difficult to satisfy or mitigate regardless of any of the proposed actions of Prism Logistics. Contractors can attest to the challenge to acquire affordable gravel in Natrona County; however, the immediate impacts to the residences in the area as well as long term impacts to future growth should weigh heavily on the Commissioner’s decision— a decision forced upon them due to the state’s lack of due diligence.

Matt Keating

Matt Keating said there are three main issues he sees with the proposal. First, he said, it will scar the mountain. Casper Mountain “is a huge jewel for us. It draws a lot of people to the area.”

Second, the dust will be a problem downwind. And third, there’s the possibility it might cause problems with some residents’ water supply.

“So that’s a no, and a no, and a no for me.”

Casey Coates

Gravel mining in the Squaw Creek section or its adjoining drainages represents a failure at the state lands and leasing level. Having remained neutral at the outset in order to understand both sides, I am able to state that I oppose the development of any mining operation in the area. This said, Prism Logistics has complied with the law and worked within the guidelines promulgated by the state. Thus, should mining activities be pursued in a manner that satisfies the parameters set forth by the state and conditional use, I would have no recourse other than to support their furtherance. In the end, this particular issue faces Coates Road today, but similar issues may face other areas in the county tomorrow. As such, it is my position that when development threatens to degrade the environment, our water resources, or the health and safety of individuals, it should be prohibited.

Rozmaring Czaban

Prior to the adoption of the County Zoning Rewrite mining wasn't permissible in the area. Changing the Zoning to MR 1 & 2 can be allowable with a Conditional Use Plan.

Terry Wingerter

I have never seen so many of the citizens of Natrona County in such an uproar as they are over the proposed mining pit on the foot of Casper Mountain in the Coates Road area. The first and primary concern should be how this pit would affect the health and safety of the people living near this site, and that should be considered by the state before they allow any mining activity on state sections of land. This section is in a very picturesque area, close to housing where water wells could be affected, where the winds are very strong, and the county roads certainly couldn’t handle the heavy truck traffic. I have attended many meetings concerning this proposed gravel pit and have sat through several mountain plans and have heard both sides. I will never vote for a conditional use permit on the foot of the mountain, which is a jewel of our community.