Crook County officials refer mining dispute controversy to third-party investigator

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A long-running dispute over a proposed mining permit in Crook County is taking a new turn. County leaders are now bringing in a third-party investigator to take a closer look at groundwater concerns, which some allege are tied to Knife River operations. 

Neighbors have raised alarms for years about possible contamination, while state and federal leaders have pushed for additional testing and answers. Central Oregon LandWatch has now joined the conversation as a land-use advocate in the controversy.

KTVZ’s Claire Elmer is speaking with Central Oregon LandWatch about their concerns, along with Knife River, which maintains its operations are not a cause of potential contamination. Hear both sides and what this latest step could mean for the community, tonight only on KTVZ News at 6:00p.m.