Resident urges denial of Kaw Valley sand pit special-use permit, raises past fines and data concerns

Nancy Carpenter, a Leavenworth County resident, asked the Board of County Commissioners to deny the Kaw Valley special-use permit (SUP) to excavate and stockpile sand in southern Leavenworth County.

Carpenter told commissioners that the Planning Commission recommended denial and that a citizen had previously uncovered multiple mining-related citations and unpaid fines tied to Kaw Valley. She said Kaw Valley later paid the fines and that the company had also been cited for delinquent property taxes. “I find it curious how quickly this company made good on its debts when open public comments were made,” she said.

Carpenter also challenged the economic-impact analysis cited by project supporters, saying she obtained the study via an open-records request and noting the study used Sedgwick County data to model impacts. She said that choice makes the analysis less relevant to Leavenworth County and urged commissioners to require independent economic review.

Carpenter raised concerns about the Lenape Drainage District and said a key county contact with the district’s engineer only occurred weeks after the public hearing, suggesting inadequate pre-application outreach. She asked the board to weigh the company’s promises against documented compliance history and the Planning Commission’s recommendation.

The board did not vote on the SUP at this meeting; the item was flagged for future agenda consideration. Carpenter asked commissioners to prioritize public safety, health and welfare when they decide.