County Planning & Zoning Commission will hold public hearing on frac sand mining May 14th

The Winneshiek County Planning & Zoning Commission voted 6-1 Tuesday night to hold a public hearing on a possible frac sand mining moratorium on May 14th.

The vote came after an hour-long meeting about the county board's request that the commission research a possible moratorium on frac sand mining.

Winneshiek County Protectors member Lyle Otte argued in favor of a 24-month moratorium, saying "I don't think two years is too much to ask."

Decorah resident Mark Olson argued against a moratorium, saying "This is simply a filibuster."  Jon Batchelder called the discussion "a lot of emotion, but not many facts."

But Pleasant Township resident Liz Rog stated, "I stand to lose a lot (if frac sand mining is allowed)."  She told of problems in Southwest Wisconsin with silica dust caused by sand mining operations.  And Julie Fisher also spoke in favor of researching a possible moratorium, stating the local economy is based on tourism.

Engineer Kurt Oakes stated that multiple permits are required in order to operate a mine and concluded, "It can be done responsibly."  But Decorah resident Dick Janson pointed out that all counties to the north and east of Winneshiek County have already adopted sand mine moratoriums.