The Minnie Moore Mine is once again an issue for the Blaine County Commission, with Broadford Road residents issuing complaints about noise emanating from the mine and safety concerns. However, a five-year-old ruling from 5th District Court Judge Robert Elgee has the mine in the clear, at least for the time being.
At a commission meeting Monday in Hailey, Chair Larry Schoen noted the concerns raised by residents within the vicinity of the mine, located on a portion of a 283-acre property west of Bellevue owned by Carl Johnston.
But Megan Stelma, county code compliance specialist, was on hand to explain to the commission, and a handful of Broadford Road residents, that the mine activities don't violate any local, state or federal laws.
A ruling by Elgee in 2005 found that activity at the mine did not breach any zoning codes, as the mining work is considered a "valid grandfathered use ... including heavy surface extraction, crushing and transport from the site."
The mine has produced precious metals, rock, gravel and sand.
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Broadford Road resident Sharon Parker said a newly installed rock crusher has become a main issue for her and more than a dozen of her neighbors, as have concerns about the safety of heavy truck traffic in a residential area and the amount of dust created by the operation. Parker said the crusher, which was operated throughout the summer, generated so much noise that it was unpleasant to remain outdoors.
"It's not a desirable situation, but there's pretty much nothing we can do," Commissioner Tom Bowman said in an interview. "We could possibly put a weight limit on the road, but this could easily end up back in court and just revert to Judge Elgee's previous decision."
Jim Phillips, an attorney acting as a consultant for the neighborhood residents, said that although he has not gone into Elgee's ruling in depth, he believes there are a number of issues that the decision left unresolved. He said area homeowners would likely request an opportunity to get on the agenda of a later commission meeting.
Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com
