56°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy

County threatens legal action on property

The owner of the embattled Amargosa Valley pig farm could possibly face legal actions if he fails to comply with an abatement mandate by the time the issue is back on the agenda, Nye County officials said.

Steven Settlemyer, the owner of the property located at 2712 E. Cook Road in Amargosa Valley, was issued an abatement mandate in March after waste build-up on his pig farm was considered a nuisance. Settlemyer had 30 days to address the issue, but claimed he wasn't able to do so because of the breakdown of one of his machines.

"The bottom line is, hopefully, he has got the job done," Commissioner Frank Carbone said.

In the meantime, the County Commission has been continuing the abatement process. Carbone couldn't provide the date when the issue is going to be on the agenda again but said if Settlemyer doesn't take the material off the property, authorities would ask the district attorney to file a document that would order Settlemyer to do so.

Planning Department Director Darrell Lacy said at this stage, Settlemyer would have to cover abatement costs that are yet to be determined as the board would have to hire a third-party company to do clean-up.

"We have not even been on the property to do a detailed analysis of materials there," said Lacy, adding that the process could take up to a few months.

"Once we get approval to go inside, we will go, analyze the materials there, identify them, what's going on, put plants to clean it up," he said.

Amargosa Valley Town Manager Mike Cottingim, who had asked the commission to take action against Settlemyer, claimed the property wasn't used as a farm but as an illegal dump site. According to a complaint filed in March, an unknown "white substance," which was believed to be milk or milk substances, was being pumped onto green waste or compost piles.

"They claim it's a pig farm, (but) we feel it's a dump," he said.

Cottingim said he had recently contacted Las Vegas-based Renu Oil of America and asked them if they had a permit to do dumping. The company wasn't able to produce the document, he said.

"We have found that a company out of Las Vegas is hauling food waste from Las Vegas to the property and dumping it out here," he said.

Now, Cottingim said he is waiting to see whether commissioners will prohibit companies from shipping to the property.

"We have filed a complaint, and we are waiting for the final decision from the board of commissioners," Cottingim said.

"We don't want his property in any shape, form or fashion," he added. "We just don't want it to be (used) as a dump."

On Monday, Jess Allen, a private individual with experience in recycling who had been hired by Settlemyer to grind the mulch, said the hydraulic pump in the grinder was fixed over the weekend and they are currently composting wood waste.

“There’s consistent clean-up going on a regular basis,” Allen said.

Allen said Cottingim’s allegations about a dump site were unsubstantiated because there was no hazardous waste on the property.

“There’s no reason to shut us down,” he said, adding that there was only organic waste and nobody has come out to the farm to verify Cottingim’s allegations.

In the meantime, Settlemyer said over the last few weeks, his farm hasn’t had any income because of the ongoing issue.

“Nobody comes here because they shut us down,” he said.

Dirk Ravenholt, Settlemyer's attorney, couldn't be reached for comment.

"This thing is blown out of proportion," Settlemyer said. "We haven't consulted judges or anything, because we are waiting for our attorney to come back from vacation."

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.