A sign questioning the Painted Rock Mine proposal along Johnson Lane.
A public hearing on an ordinance designed to prohibit trucks from driving through the neighborhood between Johnson Lane and Stephanie Way is scheduled for Thursday. Commissioners meet 10 a.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1616 Eighth St., Minden, but the hearing is unlikely to occur before lunch.
Restrictions are proposed for Wildhorse, Vicky, Clapham lanes, Kayne, Gordon and Fuller Avenues and East Valley Road north of Johnson Lane.
What’s not included is Fremont and East Valley Road south of Johnson Lane, which was specifically included in an agreement between Douglas County and Knox Excavation for local deliveries.
Should it be approved, the ordinance would take effect Feb. 1, 2025.
“As I understand it, this is intended to deal with concerns in the Johnson Lane area after the BLM and BIA approved Painted Rock Mine,” Commissioner Mark Gardner said.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Ritchie confirmed that the agreement between the county and Knox permits the use of Fremont.
“The goal is to prevent heavy truck traffic from cutting between Johnson Lane and Stephanie,” he said.
North Valley residents have been organizing to oppose allowing trucks from the Painted Rock Mine to use Johnson Lane.
County commissioners voted 3-2 to approve an agreement with Knox in September that would provide a portion of the proceeds to work on the route.
The mine is located on allotment lands managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and crosses Bureau of Land Management before arriving at the top of Johnson Lane.
Residents have been arguing against the mine since it first came to light in 2020. Opponents established a website at protectjohnsonlane.com
and are asking residents to report violations of the Knox agreement.
A nonprofit is being formed to raise money for legal fees.
