A 7-month moratorium on new sand mining permits in Buffalo County would be extended for another 6 months under a county zoning ordinance proposal endorsed Wednesday night.
  
A moratorium on new or expanded non-metallic mining projects enacted by the Buffalo County Board in March expires on Oct. 31.

The county's 4-member zoning committee unanimously advanced a proposal that would extend the moratorium until April 30th.

A public hearing on a 6-month extension was scheduled for 8 a.m. on Oct. 5 in the American Legion Hall at Gilmanton.

If a 6-month moratorium extension were approved, departments involved in further studies would be required to bring forth findings within 120 days.

A moratorium extension also might offer opportunity to see the county's approved mining projects in action and give zoning technicians time to inspect them for compliance with authorized operating conditions, the committee agreed.

An estimated 35 people attended Wednesday's meeting, about half of them addressing the committee with comments
for and against extending the moratorium.