The developer of a controversial gravel mining operation at the base of Casper Mountain has won two major legal challenges and says he is ready to begin mining as soon as possible.
Wyoming 7th District Court Judge Joshua C. Eames ruled Tuesday that Prism Logistics’ state land leases are not subject to county land use regulations, including a recent zoning change that would have blocked the industrial operation proposed next to a rural neighborhood on the west side of Casper.
The judge also remanded back to the state Prism’s request to extend some of its leases, which the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners had denied last year.
Eames issued two separate rulings: one regarding the state’s denial of Prism’s lease extensions, and one regarding Natrona County’s authority over leasing actions on state lands.
The rulings follow nearly two years of intense opposition and legal wrangling over a proposed gravel mining operation that nearby homeowners, as well as residents throughout Natrona County, rallied against as harming a popular recreation area and threatening public health and safety. Opponents, including the Casper Mountain Preservation Alliance, convinced the county to rezone the area to prevent the operation — an action that helped convince some state land commissioners to deny Prism’s lease extension requests.
“Prism is very pleased with the rulings,” Prism Manager Kyle True told WyoFile on Wednesday, adding, “gravel operations are not inconsistent with a high quality of life, multiple use of Wyoming’s resources, including hiking and uses for education.”
Opponents, particularly the Casper Mountain Preservation Alliance, argued that mining operations might plague neighboring homes with dust, noise and heavy truck traffic. They also worry about how mining might impact shallow aquifers that residents rely on for water.
What are state trust lands?
Upon granting statehood in 1890, the federal government bestowed some 4.2 million acres of “state trust lands” to Wyoming, and it now manages about 3.4 million acres of trust land. The Wyoming Constitution prescribes that the primary use of those lands, which are scattered throughout the state in a checkerboard pattern, is to generate revenue to support public schools.
The Office of State Lands and Investments commonly leases those lands — often referred to as “school sections” — for grazing and industrial development such as mining and oil and gas drilling.
Complicating the issue is the fact that Prism is targeting a block of state trust lands, or “school sections,” that are prioritized to generate revenue for public schools and educational purposes. Often, that revenue-generation priority results in grazing and mining leases. Those state land priorities sometimes conflict with local uses and county health and safety rules.
The court’s ruling is disappointing, Casper Mountain Preservation Alliance cofounder Carolyn Griffith told WyoFile. “But I don’t think this is done,” she added, noting potential legal appeals and the fact that the State Board of Land Commissioners still has an opportunity to again deny Prism’s lease extension requests.
“Ultimately, I don’t know how it will go,” Griffith said, calling it “ludicrous” to allow a potential threat to a vital water resource. “The community is concerned because it’s the face of their mountain. It helps draw in some tourism to this community. It helps to retain some youth to the area because they use it for recreation.”
County zoning wasn’t the only issue at play in the state board’s denial of lease extensions. In June, Auditor Kristi Racines made the motion to reject Prism’s request to renew six of eight leases on the basis that Prism did not move forward on time with licensing and permits from the Department of Environmental Quality and Office of State Lands and Investments.
If Prism ultimately prevails and is allowed to commence mining, True said, the company is prepared to begin mining immediately. If his hopes come to fruition, he said, opponents will find that “it will not have a significant, negative impact on anything.
“We struggle to see that the community will be harmed,” True added, “and we don’t think anything we’re doing is contrary to the public interest.”
The State Board of Land Commissioners is composed of Gov. Mark Gordon, Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, Secretary of State Chuck Gray, Treasurer Curt Meier and Auditor Racines.
Gray, who voted against renewing Prism’s state leases, issued a statement Wednesday condemning the court’s ruling as “outrageously wrong.”
“This activist decision by an appointed judge needs to be appealed,” continued Gray, who recently announced his bid for the U.S. House of Representatives. “The State Board of Land Commissioners, elected by the people of Wyoming, made the correct decision to deny renewal of these leases in 2025. But now an activist judge is trying to force renewal of the leases, in direct contradiction with the Board’s decision.”
True took issue with Gray’s comments.
“I think this shows why Chuck Gray is generally unfit for statewide office,” True told WyoFile, “because he didn’t seem to read Judge Eames’ decision and respond to anything [in what is] quite a substantive decision. Instead, he stated his case with no new facts, but plenty of passion.”
While I have a great deal of empathy with residents and land owners who may be affected by the proposed gravel mining, I think you folks need to be fair here and place blame squarely where it belongs. The leases were granted by the Board of Land Commissioners using a consent agenda vote in 2023. Extension was denied due to County rezoning laws. The rezoning came about after the leases had already been approved. The Preservation Group wasn’t formed until 2024. The cows are already out of the gate, kinda hard to round up all the strays now. Was adequate notice not given about the lease vote? IDK But in reality both sides are the injured parties here, Prism, who was granted the leases and the surrounding residents who feel they will be negatively effected by the gravel pits. The Board of Land Commissioners created this can of worms…..just as they did with the Pronghorn H2 wind project. Maybe it’s time that Wyoming rethink just who serves on the Commissioners Board. Just sayin’
The fact that this proposed gravel pit will affect 300 homes and families and threaten their water supply, devalue their homes and property and cause significant health and safety issues tells you everything you need to know about Prism Logistics and Kyle True vs. the good people of Natrona County who are defending their neighbors! Casper Strong!
It’s unfortunate that Kyle true doesn’t have Casper’s best interest in mind. Only his deep pockets. This is a case of spoiled Brat grown up.
As long as we keep electing people from top to bottom that only care about the dollar and development, this will keep happening.
Yes! As always, this is Trump’s fault!