Our Response

In December, 2010, Comstock Mining, Inc. presented the Lyon County Board of Commissioners with a request to change the land-use designation of the parcel they are currently drilling. The property is within the Silver City town limits, and is currently designated “Suburban.” The requested change—to “Resource”—could make mining on the property possible. The Board of Commissioners took no action on the request, referring Comstock Mining, Inc. to the Lyon County Planning Commission as the proper venue. (At this time, the request has not been submitted to the Planning Commission.)

Letter to County Commission

Silver City residents appeared at this same Board of Commissioners meeting to oppose Comstock’s request. On Dec. 23, 2010, the Lyon County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the Lyon County Comprehensive Master Plan, which retained the Suburban designation for the parcel in question. Silver City residents attended the meeting, and expressed their support of the Comprehensive Master Plan (see link to Lyon County Master Plan).

With the continuation of exploratory drilling in January and February, 2011, the residents of Silver City approved a motion at the February 1 town meeting outlining our concerns regarding the drilling project. The motion was presented to the Lyon County Board of Commissioners on February 3, 2011.

The Motion

In addition, a petition signed by 93 Silver City residents, expressing our objections to exploratory drilling and mining in Silver City, was presented at the February 17 Lyon County Board of Commissioners meeting. The text of the petition reads:

We, the undersigned residents of Silver City, Lyon County, Nevada, wish to express our strong opposition to mining within Silver City, and specifically the current exploratory drilling in Silver City by Comstock Mining, Inc. This activity is incompatible with our community, and is harming the historical integrity of the Comstock National Historic District. It is compromising our quality of life and property values, and seriously threatens the peace and tranquility of our town.