Bryant Creek Gravel Mining

[Al Agnew]

I agree, Chief, they should. But it seems like MDC is walking on eggshells on matters like this. Because, the unfortunate fact is that the Republican-dominated legislature is all for gravel mining. To the outstate Republicans, it's all about property rights and as little government regulation as possible. And MDC seems to be afraid to do much to get them riled, because there's always that threat of bringing the sales tax for MDC back up for a vote again.

Back when I was on the workgroup, even though the DNR and MDC were present, the pro-gravel-mining folks, supported by a couple of prominent Republican politicians and the Farm Bureau (which is also all for gravel mining at any cost) insisted that they would have no vote on any proposed regulations. The representatives from MDC and DNR were supposed to sit there and "observe", and only add to the discussion if asked specific questions.

So you see what we were up against even in an administration that was nominally on our side. It's a lot more difficult now.

[Chief Grey Bear]

What chaps my arse is they always want to be seen as the champions of hunting and fishing. Always have to have a cameo in the outdoors. But they could care less out the outdoors and how it is destroyed. Its only about money.

Everybody hates the tree hugging libs until their own backyard is being destroyed.

[Kyle Kosovich]

Well everyone, the DNR called me and I talked with them about this situation and this is what they had to say.

The operator-

-not allowed to mine in the stream-

-allowed to cross the stream-

-not allowed to mine below water level-

-not allowed to have sifting equipment on the gravel bar-

-allowed to dig gravel pits in flood plain-

also he said that-

-the operator must be bonded for damage repair if operator hit bankrupt-

The guy I talked with said that he has personaly inspected this operator is one of the best in the state. He has not violation, works at restoring and maintaining his sites, plants river cane for swainson's warbler, and has bought out another operator that was not mining correctly.

Hopefully the operator plans to keep this up, if it's true.

If you want to voice your oppinion on the matter there is a meeting at Jeff City May 29 at 10:00. Here the public will get to voice concerns and the operator will get to tell his side of the story. If it does go to a hearing then only the people that spoke up during the public coment period will get to present.

This is all I know at the moment.

[catman70]

Hopefully that's true – not your statement, but DNR's. We heard that this "guy" (don't know if it's the same guy or just the same company if the company has been bought out) had/has some operations on Spring Creek off the North Fork where he'd dig multiple pits and allow the creek to flood them out and refill them with gravel. Then he'd remove the gravel again. Apparently this method isn't kosher, and doesn't sit well with some govn't agencies.