Impacts on the community anticipated to result from the proposed Pronghorn coal mine, Campbell County, Wyoming

Abstract

The Pronghorn coal mine in Campbell County, Wyoming, will provide direct employment to about 850 workers, resulting in an additional 1800 people residing in the county. The Pronghorn mine is only one of the many energy developments that will result in an increase in county population from 21,000 in 1977 to 64,000 in 1990. Most of the population increase will occur in and near the City of Gillette, which already is experiencing inadequate housing, a lack of public services, and the social problems associated with "boomtown" conditions. The future increase in population will continue to impact all local government services, private businesses, and the residents of Gillette and Campbell County. Most of the impacts will be adverse. A majority of residents indicate that most government-provided services are currently in need of improvement. Older residents of the county have experienced a change in traditional values, newer residents commonly experience a lack of acceptance. These experiences have psychologically impacted both old and new residents. Although the county and the city are moving rapidly to accommodate the changes that are occurring, services will lag due to time and financial restraints. New taxes and mineral royalities will in time provide the financial support required to implement needed services, but between 1978 and 1982 the City of Gillette will be able to finance only $35 million of the $58 million needed for new facilities. After 1982, the city's financial position should improve rapidly. Financial impacts on the county and its school district will be negligble over the short-term and largely beneficial over the long-term. A shortage of housing exists in the area, particularly the most desired single-family homes. High cost precludes the purchase of permanent housing by many new residents and, therefore, mobile homes supply much of the housing for new residents. The town of Wright, sponsored by the Atlantic Richfield Company, is presently a 311-unit mobile home park, housing a November 1977 population of 850. The town is planned for a maximum population of 6,000 people. Much of the planned housing will be permanent homes.