Letter: Reno mine plan must be stopped

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001 | 8:40 a.m.

The Sept. 4 article, "Coalition launches campaign to block Reno cat litter mine," brings to light an important issue. Where and when is mining appropriate?

In this case a Chicago company, Oil-Dri Corp., wants to build a kitty litter mine and processing plant in a residential area 10 miles outside Reno.

The article talked about the potential impacts, such as contaminated and depleted groundwater, dust and traffic that will jeopardize public health and safety. This project should not be proposed in a residential area. The two open-pit mines will be located only one-quarter mile from the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. As the article implies, would this project be proposed in a more affluent area? I doubt it.

The article states that Washoe County has the authority to stop the project. I hope they will do just that. If this can happen in Reno, this can happen anywhere. I also hope the people of Las Vegas will rally behind their Reno neighbors and fight residential mining in our state.

KAREL MALLOY

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