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It takes a while to review and write ordinances. In addition to Feb 9th hearing, it has also since been heard on February 28th and will be heard again on March 28th, then April 25th, then May 23rd at 9 am before the same Planning Commission. When Mon, , 9am – 1pm 

Where Commission Chambers, 130 Kansas City St, Rapid City, SD 57701, USA (map), Remote testifying may be an option if you ask far enough in advance.

 

 

– During the Feb. 28th meeting the Board tabled the Public Comment for the Hard Rock Mining Ordinance – moved forward to Monday, March 28 9:00 am Planning Commission Meeting  – On March 28th, the Hard Rock Mining Ordinance was continued till April 25th, 2022 for staff to do more research – some discussion in April and continued to May 23rd.

 Link to commission packet 4/25 – https://www.pennco.org/vertical/sites/{94B870DC-F4F5-409E-B25D-A72449C5D7C0}/uploads/04-25-22_PC_Packet_with_blank_pages.pdf

 
To find Hard Rock Mining Ordinance stuff –
1.  to see ordinance go to page 215-228 of 239 pages for ordinance as existing before April 25th
2.  March Public comments can be found after that at pages 228-239

 

Watch to see PC Planning Commission agendas for  the 23rd at link – 

 

Here’s the link to the BOC Calendar –  https://www.pennco.org/index.asp?SEC=3E3A7706-9490-449E-8420-57421F31A1E1

 
Note: If unable to attend the meeting in person, teleconference might be an option.  Contact plz@pennco.org or the Planning Department at 605-394-2186, twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Send written comments 24 hours in advance also.

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ALERT ABOUT THE FIRST MEETING

 
SPECIAL MEETING ON DRAFT HARD ROCK MINING ORDINANCE – PENNINGTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Feb 9th – 5:00 PM – PENNINGTON COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 130 Kansas City St., Rapid City
 

Come and show that you are concerned about potential gold and other mining in Pennington County – If unable to attend the meeting,  please submit your comments via email to plz@pennco.org or by mail to the attention of the Pennington County Planning Department, 130 Kansas City St.,Ste. 200, Rapid City, SD 57701 (24 hours in advance), and/or if  wishing to appear/watch virtually by Zoom , contact the Planning Department at 6053942186, or 394-2171, twentyfour (24) hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

This event is really important to the protection of our water!  Black Hills Clean Water Alliance supports the Ordinance, but believes there may be ways to strengthen it. BHCWA will post some things you might want to talk about either in a comment letter or at the Planning Commission meeting soon.   Visit: https://bhcleanwateralliance.org/2022/01/27/draft-hard-rock-mining-ordinance-to-be-heard-at-special-meeting/

Pennington County hard rock mining ordinance — would give the county and the public a new way to have a say on proposed gold, uranium, and other hard rock mining activities. It is possible for a County to stop a mine – this happened in Lawrence County in 2021. The process that led to this proposed ordinance began in early 2018. The Pennington County Commission began work on the new ordinance as a long fight over its sand and gravel ordinance was winding down. The Commission then turned to regulating hard rock mining. The new ordinance will give local government and the local public an opportunity to be heard – and potentially to block hard rock mining projects. This is really important at a time when central Pennington County is under attack by out-of-state and foreign gold mining companies.

See below for the draft of the Hard Rock Mining Ordinance.

View here or Download just the ordinance. – hard-rock-mining-ord.-section-321-1-25-22

Find the Feb 9th draft Ordinance in Commission’s “Meeting Packet” at this URL:
 
Current Planning Commission Members are:
  • Jim Coleman [2024], Mikal Lewis  [2023], Karen McGregor  [2022], Rich Marsh  [2022]    , Charlie Johnson [2023], Sandra Runde [2024]
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