Crawford Stewardship Project

Sand Mining - Threat to Rural Communities

Sand mines are sweeping across Wisconsin at an alarming rate. Townships without zoning are being quietly invaded, as there is often no public process in place to require a thorough study of the science and of the health effects. The frac sand from these open pit mines is going to the hydraulic fracturing mining industry of gas and oil. Serious environmental issues have arisen in communities of the oil and gas mines, including ground water pollution.

A sand processing plant is proposed for Bangor. A mine is in process near Tomah and in Trempealeau County. At least two landowners in Crawford County have been approached and a La Crosse County landowner was offered double the current price per acre.

While the mines do bring jobs, there are considerations that need to be addressed by residents and landowners. Local issues brought in by these mines include the creation of airborne silica sand, which has been shown to cause lung cancer. The sand can remain airborne for hundreds of miles. Road destruction and heavy traffic overload, noise, water use concerns, and complete destruction of precious forests and farmland are other community concerns. Please take the time to check out this website below for information on these and other issues.

In the meantime, townships and counties can zone to include a permitting process for these operations. Rather than wake up one day to your little bit of heaven, suddenly with an 800-acre commercial strip mine next door, let's pull together and encourage public and local government participation in deciding if this is the sort of development we want. Many of our township land use plans speak to "preserving the rural character, sustainable land use, and local control of natural resources" as goals. This sets the stage for us to put processes in place to include community involvement.

Crawford Stewardship Project is suggesting that citizens and each township look at their plans and present ordinances and zoning and identify processes for the permitting the sand mines. Check out this website for in depth information on sand mining.
http://wisair.wordpress.com/frac-sand-mining-in-wisconsin/

Articles on sand mining and it's hazards

WisconsinWatch.org - Sand mining surges in Wisconsin

Winona Daily News - Fracking fuels demand for sand

Minnesota Public Radio - SE Minnesota residents not digging the 'sand rush'

Reuters - Sand mining emerges as another fracking threat

MSNBC- Critics of energy fracking raise new concerns: Sand

Map of spread of sand mines in Wisconsin

			Crawford Stewardship Project works to protect the environment of Crawford County from threats such as those posed by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and to promote sustainable land use, local control of natural resources, and environmental justice. Crawford Stewardship Project is a nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible. Support CSP Send a check to: Crawford Stewardship Project P.O. Box 284 Gays Mills, WI 54631 csp.county@gmail.com
Home News About Us Events Research and Articles Photo Gallery Links
	Ongoing Projects Sand Mining Crawford County CAFOs Water Quality and CAFO Monitoring Karst Geology Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network-SRWN Livestock Siting Law & State CAFO Permitting Crawford Stewardship Project is grateful for the generous support of the Wisconsin Community Fund. Order your Driftless Wisconsin poster today! "CAFOs are only profitable because so much of the cost and damage is externalized onto the environment, neighbors and wildlife. The monitoring, supervision, clean-up, restitution, fines are not happening, thus the true cost of CAFOs never find the way onto the balance books." Talking point from the CAFO Conference.	Sand Mining - Threat to Rural Communities Sand mines are sweeping across Wisconsin at an alarming rate. Townships without zoning are being quietly invaded, as there is often no public process in place to require a thorough study of the science and of the health effects. The frac sand from these open pit mines is going to the hydraulic fracturing mining industry of gas and oil. Serious environmental issues have arisen in communities of the oil and gas mines, including ground water pollution. A sand processing plant is proposed for Bangor. A mine is in process near Tomah and in Trempealeau County. At least two landowners in Crawford County have been approached and a La Crosse County landowner was offered double the current price per acre. While the mines do bring jobs, there are considerations that need to be addressed by residents and landowners. Local issues brought in by these mines include the creation of airborne silica sand, which has been shown to cause lung cancer. The sand can remain airborne for hundreds of miles. Road destruction and heavy traffic overload, noise, water use concerns, and complete destruction of precious forests and farmland are other community concerns. Please take the time to check out this website below for information on these and other issues. In the meantime, townships and counties can zone to include a permitting process for these operations. Rather than wake up one day to your little bit of heaven, suddenly with an 800-acre commercial strip mine next door, let's pull together and encourage public and local government participation in deciding if this is the sort of development we want. Many of our township land use plans speak to "preserving the rural character, sustainable land use, and local control of natural resources" as goals. This sets the stage for us to put processes in place to include community involvement. Crawford Stewardship Project is suggesting that citizens and each township look at their plans and present ordinances and zoning and identify processes for the permitting the sand mines. Check out this website for in depth information on sand mining. http://wisair.wordpress.com/frac-sand-mining-in-wisconsin/ Articles on sand mining and it's hazards WisconsinWatch.org - Sand mining surges in Wisconsin Winona Daily News - Fracking fuels demand for sand Minnesota Public Radio - SE Minnesota residents not digging the 'sand rush' Reuters - Sand mining emerges as another fracking threat MSNBC- Critics of energy fracking raise new concerns: Sand Map of spread of sand mines in Wisconsin		Frac Sand Mining Conference Thursday, January 12, 2012, 8:30-3:30 at The Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1202 W. Clairmont, Eau Claire, Wis. (Directions: I-94, Exit Hwy 37 North go 1/2 mile, located at the intersection of US 12 and Hwy 37) Cost is $25 per person Register at, http://wisctowns.com/ Event is sponsored by Wisconsin Towns Association and Wisconsin Farmers Union, open to local officials and citizens who want to learn about sand mining in Wisconsin and the permitting and zoning options available. Frac sand mining information meeting held in West Salem Nov 16th 2011 Read Report November 11, 2011 US Government confirms link between earthquakes and hydraulic fracturing Sand mine in central Texas Sand mine in Winona Minnesota Sand mine in Monroe County Wisconsin