PIEDMONT, S.D. – The City of Piedmont is moving forward with a new ordinance aimed at regulating mining activity near the community.
The City Commission approved the first reading of its proposed Tiered Industrial and Mining Protective Ordinance on Tuesday. The measure establishes two regulatory zones outside city limits and is intended to address concerns about dust, noise, blasting, water quality, and other impacts associated with mining operations.
Under the proposal, stricter requirements would apply to mining activities within one mile of the city. Those rules include dust-control plans, air-quality monitoring, groundwater studies, and advance notification of blasting activities.
A second zone extending beyond the city’s one-mile jurisdiction would rely on agreements involving city services and permits rather than direct enforcement powers.
City officials say the ordinance is designed to protect residents from potential impacts of nearby mining operations. The proposal comes shortly after a court upheld Piedmont’s annexation of land involved in a planned limestone mining project.
The ordinance still requires a second and final approval, which is scheduled for the City Commission’s September 15 meeting. If approved, residents would have the opportunity to petition for a public vote before the measure takes effect later this fall.
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