Natrona County commissioners advanced this week a new county-wide policy aimed at regulating heavy truck traffic on designated residential roads, including Coates Road, which would provide access to a contested gravel pit on Casper Mountain.
Gregg Werger, a Coates Road resident and vocal opponent of Prism Logistics’ attempt to build a nearby gravel pit, reminded commissioners there will be a State Board of Land Commissioners meeting Thursday to consider Prism’s lease renewal applications.
At Tuesday’s meeting in Casper, Werger told commissioners that it would be beneficial to inform the state board that Natrona County no longer permits extractive mining in the residential zone where seven of the eight leases sit.
The county has done just that, sending a letter dated May 27 to the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments ahead of Thursday’s meeting. The letter also touches on concerns about impacts to county-maintained roads.
“While Natrona County has a long history of supporting economic development in our County, we Commissioners have deep and serious concerns about the impacts of gravel extraction at this specific location on the health, safety and welfare of Natrona County citizens and damage to property owned by Natrona County, including a public gravel road along which hundreds of residents and recreationalists travel weekly,” the letter states.
In addition to the letter, Casper residents are heading to Cheyenne.
“We have quite a contingent going over there this week,” Werger said.
Later in the meeting, during commissioner comments, Chairman Dave North also said he would be in Cheyenne for the state land board meeting.
“I believe there’s a lot of things that need to be said in front of the board,” North said.
The county’s letter points out that the state did not notify the county before granting the mine exploration leases in 2023 on several school trust sections adjacent to a rural housing area just west of Casper. The State Board of Land Commissioners, which made the decision, is made up of the governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor and superintendent of public instruction. The leases have since spawned two lawsuits.
Discussing safety on Coates Road, also mapped as County Road 503, Natrona County Road and Bridge Superintendent Mike Haigler said it’s 2.6 miles long with a speed limit of 35 mph. In the last one to two years, around $787,000 was spent on improvements, with contributions from the county, city and residents. A quarter-mile paved section within the Casper city limits was finished in 2021, funded by local property owners.
Haigler identified some safety issues on Coates Road, which is otherwise in good condition for homes. Issues include the need for yearly magnesium treatments to reduce dust, flying rocks from vehicles, and traffic coming from side roads that do not have stop signs.
During winter, strong winds and drifting snow can make the road slippery, especially near Highway 220, requiring a lot of plowing and sanding.
A school bus turnaround in the city requires the bus to make a full turn on the road.
The space for traffic at the CY Avenue stop sign is limited, with less than 160 feet, which could block driveways. Haigler also said the view toward Robertson Road is not very good.
The 24-foot-wide road is meant for residential traffic, with the paved part designed for vehicles weighing up to 16,000 pounds, but not for heavy loads over time. The gravel part has 6 inches of gravel, commissioners were told.
Coates Road is a dead-end road, requiring vehicles to turn on private property or off-road at the south end.
The area has seen free-range cattle in Section 16, and is used by people for recreational activities like riding horses, bicycles and jogging.
City of Casper Chief Operating Officer Tom Brauer said the city hasn’t taken a “hard position” regarding heavy truck traffic on Coates Road, opting instead to state facts. Commissioner Jim Milne encouraged the city to take a stance, saying the city is “trying to straddle a fence and let the county deal with it.”
North spoke about the county board’s responsibility to keep county roads safe for residents. He said the new policy on heavy vehicle traffic will apply to all county roads, not just Coates Road, to protect county assets and follow zoning rules about which industries and traffic are allowed. The County Attorney’s Office could manage permits for specific traffic requests.
The county commissioners approved Tuesday a resolution that will now undergo a 45-day public comment period. Milne suggested changes to make it clear that the elected commissioners, rather than just the Road and Bridge Department, will make final decisions on road restrictions or special permits. He also proposed adding an addendum to allow for changing the list of roads as necessary. While the resolution will be published in its current form at first, the suggestions will be considered for the final version.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Coates Road resident Walter Merschat asked for clarification on the review process after the 45-day period. Commissioners assured him the resolution would be brought back for their vote, and all written comments would be considered before adoption.