The Oneida County Board of Supervisors officially voted to not pursue mining at their monthly county board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 21.

There were more than 100 people that attended the meeting, mostly to voice their objection to a mine in the Town of Lynne in southern Oneida County. Public comments lasted close to two hours, as representatives of Native American tribes, residents of the Town of Lynne, and other concerned citizens told the board they were against bid packages being offered to mining companies.

Eventually, County Board Supervisor Jerry Shidell presented a resolution that would give board members a chance to either pursue the mining issue or kill it all together. In a vote of 12 to nine, the board voted to stop exploring the possibilities of mining in this environmentally sensitive area.

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