Group formed to fight request for quarry permit

Canoe Valley Road resident have formed an organization to oppose an application by Wiltgen Construction and Mark Quandahl for a conditional use permit to operate a quarry at 1842 Canoe Valley Road.

The "Canoe Valley Residents Association" has been formed to protect and enhance the quality of life of residents of the Canoe Valley and to protect the Canoe Valley environment, according to a news release from the group.
 
The immediate focus of the group is opposition to an application for a conditional use permit to operate mine "white sand" at a proposed quarry at 1842 Canoe Valley Road.  The application states the quarry will be 50 acres in size, will be in operation for 20 to 25 years and will involve up to 150 trucks on Canoe Valley Road per day.
 
Association members say they're concerned about the operation of a commercial mining operation in a residential neighborhood; possible threats to water quality in the St. Pete aquifer and nearby shallow wells; declines in property values; traffic safety for school buses and cars; noise from blasting, washing sand and truck traffic; dust from mining and trucks; and road damage from trucks.

The Canoe Valley neighborhood is six miles north of Decorah, just west of Locust Road, on the way to Hauge Church.
 
Association members are encouraging people to attend the meeting of the Winneshiek County Planning and Zoning Commission at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 13th, in the large courtroom of the courthouse.  A public hearing will be held at that time on the conditional use permit application.