Interstate Rock Seeking Protective Designation to Mine Next to Homes

By Brian McNary

Photos by Deanna McNary

Interstate Rock dba as LaVerkin Sand and Gravel has requested a designation for its operation. The designation as a “Critical Infrastructure Materials Protection Area” will allow them to mine sand and gravel at will- with little regulation- right up to their property boundaries. Boundaries which are only feet from homes on Zion’s Parkway in the Trail Ridge subdivision. Mesa Ridge is also nearby. On the LaVerkin side is Cottonwood Hollow subdivision.

Toquerville & LaVerkin Impacted

Adjacent to Toquerville neighborhoods and a piece touching Toquer Blvd, the area outlined in yellow belongs to Interstate Rock

There are three subdivisions easily within 500-1000 feet of the mining operation.

Now to be fair, this gravel pit has been here for about 30 years. Also to be fair- the cities of Toquerville and LaVerkin approved subdivision development along city boundaries with very little thought to this mining operation. Business always seeks to grow larger and make more money.

We are at the crossroads between corporate interests and homeowners. This area has a heavy industrial designation. When you begin to contemplate just how much sand, gravel, and rock is going to be needed for the Firelight subdivision- suddenly the size and scope of this area comes into view. Clearly, Interstate Rock is on the verge of expanding business operations.

With the requested designation, anything goes

So why do they need a Critical Infrastructure Materials Protection Area designation?

Well, according to Utah State Law (17-41) once they obtain the CIMP designation- they will be free from most regulatory oversight. According to law they:

-Will be free from any future city ordinances that adversely effect their operations unless it involves public safety or health.

-Zoning designations cannot be changed.

-They will be free (grandfathered) from future ordinances and regulations.

-They will be free from any future public nuisance complaints or ordinances including noise or hours of operation.

-Free from any future eminent domain claims by LaVerkin or Washington County.

Goodbye to Quiet, Hills, & Views

Interstate Rock owns parcels of ground that extend to Toquerville and a piece that actually touches Toquer Boulevard.

They own everything on the hill going into Trail Ridge estates east of the barbed wire fence near the top of the hill. Their operations will be fully exposed to view once they start leveling the landscape.

FOUR days to object

According to the City of LaVerkin, property owners or people in the affected area have until APRIL 30 to file a written objection to this proposal or a written request to modify or shrink the protection area designation. The proposal will be sent to the LaVerkin Planning Department and County Advisory Board. At some point after the recommendations are made, at least 45 days, the City of LaVerkin will schedule a meeting and take comments from residents and the public.

This is how the process will work. We have 4 days.

You can email complaints about the proposed designation directly to:

laverkincity@gmail.com

Mayor Kelly Wilson- kelly.wilson@laverkincity.org

Councilmember Patricia Wise- patricia.wise.lv@gmail.com

Councilmember Micah Gubler- micah.gubler@gmail.com