Frac sand policy update: Houston County checks out banning frac sand mining; activist now on Environmental Quality Board

Citizen concerns over frac sand mining continue in Southeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio reports in Houston County could permanently ban new frac sand mining:

Officials in Houston County in southeastern Minnesota are considering permanently banning new frac sand mining.

County commissioners this week unanimously extended a moratorium on new sand mining through March 2015. County commissioners also sent a letter to state officials asking for guidance on the potential permanent ban.

Houston County is the first county weighing a permanent ban since legislation took effect giving local governments more options to regulate frac sand mining.

Commissioner Justin Zmyewski said residents are concerned about the potential for too much truck traffic from mining activities, as well as environmental impacts on trout streams and other natural features that make the region unique.

Check out the entire story at MPR.

This article is reposted from TCDP media partner Bluestem Prairie. Check out the links below for other recent Bluestem Prairie stories:

• Post Bulletin: No need for Draz (or legislature) to beat dead horse slain by Goodhue Co infighting
• Institute for Research & Education on Human Rights ranks MN 34th in Tea Party membership

Kristen Eide-Tollefson appointed to Environmental Quality Board (EQB)

Governor Mark Dayton has appointed Florence Township Planning Commission member and environmental/local control activist Krisen Eide-Tollefson to the EBQ.

Land Stewardship Project posts Citizens' Frac Sand Summit Report

Eide-Tollefson is also an active member of the Land Stewardship Project, which had recommended her appointment. The farm group has posted a report from the Citizens' Frac Sand Summit held on January 18, 2014, in Winona.

In addition to a petition asking Governor Dayton to ban frac sand mining in fragile karst regions while instituting tough standards elsewhere in the state, the report includes several presentations from the event:

• Grassroots Victories Achieved to Control frac Sand Mining in Our Communities — Marilyn Frauenkron Bayer of Houston, Minn.
• Reflections on What is at Stake for the Land and Family Farmers— Bob Christie, family livestock and crop farmer from southeast Minnesota.
• Air Quality, Human Health and the Frac Sand Industry —Dr. Crispin Pierce, director of the Environmental Public Health Program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Pierce is conducting cutting-edge research on monitoring silica dust at frac sand facilities.

Photo: A frac sand mine in Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim Tittle. Used with permission.)