Action on gravel pit delayed

Friday, Sept. 6, 2002 | 9:14 a.m.

Clark County Commissioners were not able to recommend moving a large gravel pit out of the urban area at their regular meeting this week.

Although originally scheduled for discussion, a proposed move by Rinker Materials of its gravel mining operation from Buffalo Drive and Tropicana Avenue to near Sloan was scratched from the agenda.

The commission's action would have been ceremonial. It could have endorsed the proposal to move the operation, but the Bureau of Land Management will have to approve the move to Sloan. The federal agency is now evaluating the proposal.

Residents near the existing site are unhappy with dust and noise that come from the plant and rock-hauling trucks. Some residents north of Sloan fear that the new site could bring dust into their neighborhoods.

Commissioner Erin Kenny, who has the existing site in her district, asked for the deletion of the item. She said she deleted the item because of questions about the project that came from Commissioner Bruce Woodbury.

Woodbury said the deletion came prior to him asking questions about the project, but some other gravel companies have objected to the move. Rinker Materials, already the largest single supplier of crushed rock for construction in Southern Nevada, could expand its operation if it moved to Sloan and operated on BLM land.

Kenny said the resolution to endorse the move could come back to the commission at a later time.

Ray Brown, Rinker spokesman, said the deletion did not affect the proposed move at all. He said he believes the company can get the support of the commission in any case.