University of Iowa professor says frac study would best be done in cooperation with Wisconsin officals

University of Iowa College of Public Health professor Tom Peters spent an hour with Winneshiek County supervisors on Monday, reviewing with them the research about frac sand.

Peters' conclusion was that studies have not shown a notable health risk caused by frac sand mining operations.  But that didn't mean Peters disagreed with Winneshiek County's decision to impose a moratorium on frac sand mining permits.

He urged county officials to keep track of the scientific research about frac sand mining and to possibly organize a workshop about the frac sand issue.

Peters says the best approach would be to work with public officials in Wisconsin, where the frac sand mining issue has become important because of large-scale mines.  He urged Winneshiek County officials to "bolster what they (Wisconsin officials) are doing."  He said the frac sand issue is a complex issue that puts job creation and economic development concerns against concerns about protecting tourism and the environment.