Neighbor speaks out against proposed mine NW of Prineville
(Update: Adding comments by opposing farmer, others)
'The level of dust ... is unbelievable. It travels for miles.'
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bryan Zednick, a hay farmer in Crook County, is upset with the idea of another mining site bordering his farmland — and he says he’s not the only one.
"I have not spoken with a single person that is not In opposition of this mine," Zednick said Wednesday.
Zednick says he is opposed to adding a new sand and gravel mining mining site because he believes the one currently operating beside his property has been violating regulations.
"Until recently, when I received a copy of the comprehensive plan that they're currently under, and in reading that; I noticed (violations of) hours of operation, traffic, mining depth, and most importantly the reclamation of that property," Zednick said.
He added that the piles of dirt from the mining site have become a nuisance.
"The level of dust that comes off of those piles and out of that hole in the ground is unbelievable. It travels for miles," Zednick said.
Zednick has put up a banner urging his neighbors to oppose the future gravel mine.
"The border of it will be within 100 feet of a drainage that runs year-round through here. That drainage passes through 44 domestic well properties and then dumps into the Crooked River," Zednick said.
NewsChannel 21 reached out to Knife River, the contractor for the project, to see if they were aware of any violations, but did not get a response.
Matt Ropp, a representative for the company, said the nearby residents he's spoken with have not raised concerns with him.
The Crook County Planning Commission is holding a public hearing July 28th -- here's a link with more information on the proposal.
