County Commissioners Reject Quarry Expansion in Black Hills

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Pennington County commissioners have rejected a proposed expansion of a limestone quarry that's on the main tourist route to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Iowa-based concrete supplier Croell Redi-Mix Inc. sought a construction permit from the county to expand the Perli Quarry southwest of Rapid City, in South Dakota's Black Hills.

The request was opposed by the Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Association and some nearby homeowners.

Commissioners on Tuesday rejected an earlier county planning commission decision to approve a permit, saying an industrial site isn't compatible with an area that's zoned for agricultural use.

Croell Redi-Mix attorney Tom Brady says the company is weighing its options. He says the company believes it has a lawful right to mine the land.