Moore's Flying M Ranch & Event Center

For generations, our family has called this land home.

The coffee this morning seemed extra bitter as we find ourselves more and more concerned about the proposed aluminum smelter project planned for our area. There are so many unknowns but for now, it’s what we have learned over the last 4 months that shakes us to our core. The fact is this proposed smelter located in the heart of Green Country will be permitted to produce 425 tons of emissions and heavy metal pollutants annually. We feel a responsibility to speak up when decisions are being considered that could impact the future of our community and our neighboring communities.

This is not about politics. It is about stewardship.

Like many of you, our neighbors, we have questions about how a project of this size could impact our air, water, agricultural community, rural character, and the future of the place we call home & love. We believe those questions deserve clear answers, transparency, and thoughtful consideration before decisions are made that could affect our community for generations.

As business owners, ranchers, and members of this community, we have a responsibility to advocate for the things that make this area special. The rolling pastures, open skies, abundant wildlife, family farms, local businesses, and close knit community are not just part of our livelihood; they are part of who we are, who we all are.

Some folks in our neighboring communities are wondering why they should be concerned.

“But it’s Inola and this doesn’t have anything to do with us, so why the fuss?”

It’s Oklahoma, the wind comes sweeping down, and up, the plains. If you live within 20/30 miles from Inola, in any direction, you might want to take notice. Pollution from aluminum smelters has been shown to affect air and land for miles in every direction. With a predominant south wind, Claremore should definitely take note. Arm yourselves with knowledge of what that means. Whether you want to be a part of this fight or not, you are. Choosing to say nothing is a choice and you are still a part of what happens next.

We encourage everyone to become informed, attend public meetings, ask questions, and participate respectfully in the conversation. Attend the meeting of the town hall tonight at 6pm. It’s at the Inola high school fine arts room. Regardless of where you stand, the future of all our communities deserves thoughtful engagement from all of us. We can make a difference, together.

We respectfully urge local and state leaders to ensure that any proposed development undergoes thorough environmental review, transparent public discussion, and careful consideration of its potential impacts on residents, farms, ranches, schools, churches, and local businesses, both near and far.

We are proud to call this place, and this great state, home and we believe the future is worth protecting.

— The Moore Family