URGENT: A Gravel Pit Proposal on Public lands in Paradise Valley Rears Up Again

 

Site Location for the Proposed Emigrant Gravel Pit based on the legal description found in the County Commission letter: S22, T5S, R8E, N2 SW4, W2 SE4 

We learned late last night that the Park County Commission has added a critical item to their agenda for this Tuesday, February 10th. They are discussing whether to send an official letter of support to the Montana State Land Board for the creation of a gravel pit on public lands (State Section 22) north of Emigrant. 

You can read the Commission’s draft letter here: Proposed Letter of Support - Emigrant Gravel Pit.

The State is keeping us in the dark. This is not a new proposal. The Paradise Valley community vocally opposed this proposal a couple of years ago, effectively pushing back on it enough that it appeared to go away. A couple of months ago, PCEC submitted a Freedom of Information (FOIA) request to the DNRC to get an update on this proposed project. The State has completely ignored our request. 

It is now clear that the DNRC is withholding information from the public. 

We don’t know what is actually being proposed. Would this be a gravel pit, or an industrial complex with an asphalt plant like the one in Belgrade? Is it a local business or a massive corporation? We would like to know who is behind this. Previously, it was Riverside Contracting, but we don’t know who is pushing it now. The Commission should not be endorsing a project on public lands that the public knows nothing about – nor should they write a Letter of Support without first hearing from their constituents.

We already have gravel sources run by local families in Paradise Valley that can supply our needs locally. We do not need a new pit in the heart of Emigrant.

The draft letter presents some curious arguments. Incredibly, the Commission’s draft letter claims this industrial pit will save greenhouse gases. Perhaps, but it ignores the massive CO2 release that comes from the heavy industrial footprint of crushing and grinding gravel. Furthermore, it ignores the carbon release from stripping native vegetation and disturbing soils that naturally sequester carbon.

The draft also makes an appeal to highway safety that completely ignores the introduction of slow-moving haul trucks turning onto a high-speed straightaway section of Highway 89 at the intersection with Old Yellowstone Trail. We see this as a far greater safety risk, especially during the busy summer season.

The open, natural landscapes of Paradise Valley are foundational of our local economy and our way of life in Park County. If we keep developing and industrializing land in Paradise Valley, it will no longer be Paradise Valley. Section 22 is a vital wildlife habitat and migration corridor for pronghorn, deer, and elk. These are accessible public lands, a cultural landscape where neighbors walk with their children and locals have hunted for generations.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COMMISSIONERS THIS WEEKEND:

1. Email Commissioners by Monday at 5:00 PM. "Tell Commissioners, I do not support the gravel pit. Do not industrialize our public lands. Please do not sign this letter.”

2. Sign the Petition: If you haven't already, please add your name here: Protect Emigrant North Petition

3. Show up on Tuesday: We need a strong presence in the room (or on Zoom) to show the Commission we have concerns.

  • When: Tuesday, Feb 10, 9:00 AM

  • Where: City-County Complex, 414 E Callender St, Livingston

  • Zoom/Agenda Link: Park County Meeting Info

Let’s spread the word this weekend. Accessible public lands in Emigrant are not the place for an industrial gravel operation.

Sign the petition today!
proposed gravel pit story map

Aerial image of Section 22 taken by Chris Boyer of Lighthawk.org on Feb 7th

 
Melynda Harrison