The Rapid City Mayor and City Council President say they’re baffled after a denial by the State’s Board of Minerals and Environment. The controversy comes following a city council resolution expressing concern over plans for uranium mining in the Black Hills. The city attempted to have the resolution entered into the public record with the Board of Minerals and Environment – but the board refused the city’s petition.
After lengthy debate the Rapid City Council gave near unanimous support for resolution expressing concern over plans for uranium mining in the Black Hills. But when the city officials attended a Board of Minerals and Environment meeting and attempted to have the resolution recognized they were denied.
Why would they want to deny the entering of a simple resolution into the public record. It’s extraordinary and we can’t figure it out,” says Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker
Kooiker says the state’s second largest city has a right to be concerned and heard about the proposed use of water for uranium mining in the Black Hills by the Powertech mining company.
“The South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment has unfortunately silenced the voice of our city in the upcoming Power-Tech hearings,” says Kooiker.
The Chairman of the Board of Minerals and Environment Richard C. Sweetman says he has no comment at this time. Board hearings over proposed uranium mining in the Black Hills are set to start next week in Rapid City.
