By a 4-1 vote, La Plata County officials have continued yet again a decision on the King II coal mine’s land-use permit application, which has been under negotiation for about six years.

On Thursday, the county Planning Commission postponed until April 14 a vote on the application with the provision that the county and GCC Energy, which owns the mine, complete all negotiations by March 17.

Commissioners Tom Gorton, Charles Minkler, Jim Tencza and Geri Malandra approved the continuance; Lucy Baizel was against.

Baizel referred to last night’s meeting which was driven by emotional public testimony and was continued to Thursday, as a filibuster, and she shamed both the county and GCC for six years of stalling.

“In 2010, you should not have continued ramping up production,” she told GCC. “By doing this, you gave employment to many who didn’t know you had no authorization to do so. Shame on you.

“Staff: you should know stalling is one of the oldest plays in the book. I see how GCC could feel they could talk to your face and do what they want behind your back. Shame on you.”

King II is located in an area of Hesperus known as Hay Gulch, and it produces about 1 million tons of bituminous coal each year under the ownership of Mexico-based cement producers Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua. The mine’s location on federal Bureau of Land Management land created confusion about the need for a county land-use permit, which King II has operated without since it opened in 2007.

On Thursday, Carolynne White, attorney for GCC, said the company agrees to road improvements to County Road 120 proposed by the county, but wants to operate at full capacity once those improvements are underway. Furthermore, the mine wants to accelerate the timeframe for improvements.

Most planning commissioners agreed to the continuance so that both parties can work out an agreement, and the county can potentially avoid denying the permit, which planning staff recommended. After the Planning Commission votes, the matter will go to the La Plata County commissioners.

jpace@durangoherald.com