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FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
SAND
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Graves stated that if the focus changed, the operator would have to obtain an industrial sand permit. Ron Garrison, a geologist from Milestone Materials, suggested there would not likely be many instances where there would be a conversion from aggregate to industrial sand. He added, “If I was looking for ‘frac’ sand, I wouldn’t look in Fillmore County.” He went on to explain that Fillmore County has mostly St. Peter Sandstone which is too fine (except for extracting gas). This finer sand will not be in great demand unless the market for natural gas comes back. Williams said the more regulated industrial sand will require
Monday, September 3, 2012
road maintenance agreements and more of a reclamation plan. Donna Buckbee complimented the committee on their open format allowing for citizen input. She asked why the county just doesn’t make ‘frac sand’ a prohibited use, if there isn’t good sand in the county. Graves said there is one mine that has been operating since 2008. Chad Nolte insisted if the natural gas market comes back, there will be a demand for the St. Peter Sandstone. Garrison agreed. Nolte complained that he was hearing a one sided discussion which wasn’t considering the value of the sand to farmers. Flocculants MnDot specifications for flocculants were made available. Bakke noted the county would not likely be less restrictive than
The Official Legal Newspaper for Fillmore County
MnDot, which states “All flocculants need to be environmentally benign, biodegradable and consist of natural origin biopolymers.” Bakke said they are trying to get more information from MPCA. Williams acknowledged that earlier drafts of the ordinance outright prohibited flocculants. Wetzel said flocculants have a place in some applications. Garrison explained that with flocculants, less water is used, having a smaller pond area while more efficiently removing clay particles. Williams asked if the use of flocculants should be on a permitted basis. Wetzel suggested they defer to someone at the state level and look at use on a case by case basis. Bakke noted there would be a permit to use
from the MPCA. Dale Forrester, Lanesboro, asked who is going to monitor their use. Paul Leduc asked why not prohibit washing. Bakke explained that sorting at the site will require less road use. The material left after sorting can be used for reclamation. Leduc insisted the effect on the water supply is the bigger unknown. Frank Wright suggested flocculant use needs to be approved in the CUP process. The volume of water use would have to be weighed against the use of a flocculant. Rita Leduc maintained we are in a karst area. She asked what would be the harm to be more restrictive and if the technology improves the question can be revisited. Wetzel said she was cautious
about approving all chemicals, adding that polyacrylamide is regulated by the EPA. She added she was concerned about the concentration of the material, but their testing results have not shown an accumulation. Leduc stated the United States EPA set allowable acrylamide levels in drinking water at zero. Next Meeting The next meeting will be September 18. Road impact issues will be discussed including Winona County’s language in their road impact agreement. Bakke said an application process needs to be developed and approved. After this meeting, the next part of the process will be before the Planning Commission and finally to the county board which could take at least three to four more months.
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