YODER – For quite a bit of time now, residents of the town of Yoder have voiced concerns regarding a particularly negative effect on the quality of life for both elderly and health-compromised citizens.

Presumably from the results of ongoing work detail from construction company, Western Proppants (WP), the company hauls in large loads of sand from up north of the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution daily back to the town of Yoder for fracking purposes. In doing so, the people of Yoder have claimed the noise and dust from the operation is beginning to be too much to the point of infringing on individual health.

Yoder Mayor Normal Feagler has heard loud and clear both voices of residents, as well as business and legal counsel on behalf of WP. It should be duly noted although WP is working on privately owned property and is in basic compliance with federal, state, and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) rules and regulations; they too have heard and acknowledged the ongoing noise and health concerns.

Mayor Feagler wanted to make it clear to the town of Yoder, not only is he taking their concerns seriously, but has also been working closely with WP owner, Bob Dietzler, to try and minimize any problems while also working extensively on solutions going forward.

“I do understand and feel bad for the people of Yoder,” Feagler stated. “We are living with noise and dust, but there has to be a solution where everybody wins. Bob has done some things to try and alleviate the noise and other problems, and he has put up solar-powered speed limit signs at his own cost. He’s working on it and is working very hard. I talked to him the other day as I had called him and said, ‘Thank you. We know you are doing what you can on your part and are doing your very best.’ He said, ‘Norm, I’m really working on these things. I’m trying everything I can to help.’ He’s not a brick wall, and we have to give him credit. He is trying. There’s not a doubt in my mind he is trying to do something.”

Additionally, in being in close contact with officials from WP, mayor Feagler has also contacted Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, representative Harriet Hageman, governor Mark Gordon, Lars Lone and Nick Meeker of DEQ, the state health department, Lieutenant Colonel Walters of Wyoming Highway Patrol, Rick Underwood of WYDOT, Kevin L. Schwaiger of Lands and Investments, Wyoming State Senator Cheri Steinmetz and state representative Scott Smith in explaining Yoder’s current situational distress.

“Most know I have been on the phone and emailing everyone else from DC on down,” Feagler continued. “But I want the people of Goshen to be aware of what we are going through. Maybe some little guy sitting in his chair may say, ‘Hey! I know how to solve the problem!’ That’s my goal. I work for the people of Yoder. They elected me to represent them, and I will continue to do that. It’s not a political office, it’s a public service.”

Despite the ongoing issues, Feagler is optimistic and hopeful residents will be patient, rational, and willing to offer amicable solutions to address the concerns. 

According to Mayor Feagler, if residents can adopt positive thinking, a win-win solution will eventually come about. Yoder’s mayor was also reminding residents not to forget about all the good things Yoder currently has going for it.

“We’ve accomplished a lot of things in Yoder,” Feagler added. “We have 3.5 million dollars in grants to improve the town. We have a wonderful town, excellent water, excellent sewers, and generous funding to run this community. We have water wells in case of an emergency, and we have generators for the fire-hall in case of an emergency. We actually have four generators we have purchased within the last four years, which will enhance the town in case of an emergency. These are things which have helped improve the town and were approved by the town council. I have had some of the best town council members any mayor could ever want. We have been fortunate to have Justin Burkart do our grants for us, and he is excellent. If it wouldn’t have been for him, we wouldn’t have all the things we have now.”

“We have to get together as residents of Yoder and calmy voice our concerns about the dust and noise,” Feagler continued. “We can come up with any kind of solution. I grew up on a farm and ranch where we had coyotes. If you hear one coyote howling you don’t do much and you don’t get too concerned. If we would have four or five out there howling, then you have to do something. We have to all work together and do this. Anger doesn’t solve problems. It absolutely doesn’t. It all boils down to the bottom line of dollars, and we do have to make a profit. Any business in the town of Yoder has to make a profit benefits from the tax dollars it generates. It’s a catch-22. I’m told and have been told several times the sand they are using from their mining operation is the best in the United States for fracking. I’ve resigned myself to the fact I’m doing all I can, and I get reminded daily by my better half I should do more. I can stand out and holler hallelujah when we win state basketball, but if I’m the only one hollering it doesn’t really make a difference. The problem Yoder has with dust and noise not only affects Yoder, but it affects Goshen County including Torrington with the truck traffic. We in Yoder are not the only ones affected by WP Industries. The town of Yoder is impacted with the truck traffic, but Goshen County is affected by trucks putting grooves in highway 85. We should always be thinking and helping each other so everyone can win.”