The State Board of Land Commissioners on Thursday denied the renewal of six leases related to a long-contested proposal for a gravel mining operation at the base of Casper Mountain, marking a major victory for local residents who waged a 14-month battle against the development by Prism Logistics.

It represents an about-face from the board’s initial decision to unanimously approve the leases, a change in opinion that was encouraged by an army of residents and citizen scientists who brought new findings showing the threat of water and dust contamination to be greater than believed.

The hearing lasted for hours as advocates and adversaries made arguments that ranged in tone from practical to accusatory and even philosophical.

“One dollar today is sometimes better than 10 later,” said Marcy

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