Controversial Gravel Pit Approved by Becker County Commissioners

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Becker County has approved a conditional use permit to allow gravel mining on several properties in Toad Lake Township.

Jeremy Howard had asked to mine gravel on two properties along Highway 39. Several residents of the area are opposed to the plan and concerned about their property value, noise, dust, safety and health of the residents living in the area. “We were shocked at the planning commission when Jeremy Howard presented his application as written to run his trucks along the entire west and south side of our property, 150 feet from our house where we will have a porch,” said Mary Kramvik.

Commissioners floated the idea of tabling the decision until Spring, but the idea was quickly shot down by Commissioner Richard Varebarg, “The picture being painted here is just dust and chaos and that’s not the way that’s going to be…we’ve all got to operate and if these guys have to wait until spring that’s a big dent in what’s going to happen to their business next summer.”

“The pit will be north and west of us. And the trucks will haul the entire west and south of our property and arrive and leave east of us, so we are being surrounded by the pit and trucks that will haul. Using a road that was not designed for commercial hauling. It will be noisy, dusty and dangerous. They will haul Monday thru Saturday, dawn to night time, spring, summer, and fall,” said Kramvik in an email.

Ultimately, the Commissioners decided to approve the permit, but with conditions: Crushing and screening hours will only be allowed Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Howard will be required to maintain the township road used to haul the gravel and provide dust control.

“You can only get gravel certain places and it’s very important for all of us to have access to gravel,” Vareberg added.