ND PSC affirms Coyote Creek permit revision and renewal after landowner concerns

The North Dakota Public Service Commission voted to adopt findings of fact, conclusions of law and an order in two related Coyote Creek Mining Company dockets: Revision 13 and Renewal 2 for permit NACC-1302 (cases RCD-24-244 and RCD-24-245). Chair Randy Christman moved the order and the motion carried by voice vote.

Christman summarized the administrative history on the record: Coyote Creek filed the revision and renewal applications in October and the applications were deemed complete on June 27. Public notice required written comments, objections or requests for informal conference by Aug. 26; Casey and Julie Voigt filed written comments on Aug. 26 raising concerns about reference areas, a relocated road, testing depth for graded spoil sampling and public participation and general concerns about acres released from bond.

The Voigts later requested a formal hearing, which was held Dec. 13 with testimony from the Voigts, Coyote Creek Mining Company and commission staff. The order adopted by the commission affirms the earlier conditional approval of Revision 13 and Renewal 2; the motion passed on a voice vote. The commission's order and the hearing record are the formal administrative record for any further appeal or compliance matters.