fusclimate Mailing List: Silica ('Frac') Sand

[Scott Jackson (sjackzen46]

Here's the link to the State of MN Silica Sand Information Information
website. Silica sand is also known as 'frac' sand. Though there are no
rulemaking public meetings scheduled at this time, the Silica Sand Advisory
Panel begins the first of its monthly meetings, which are open to the
public, this afternoon at 1 pm at the State Office Building. While it
probably wouldn't make sense to bird-dog every meeting, I suggest that a
group of us attend a meeting early in the process to familiarize ourselves
with the issues and players. Today's meeting looks useful, but I can't
attend.

Scott Jackson
sjackzen46 [at] gmail.com

*Silica Sand Advisory Panel*

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources (MDNR) have formed a joint advisory panel that will
provide input to the agencies as they consider possible rulemaking for the
regulation of silica sand operations in Minnesota. The Minnesota
Environmental Quality Board will also participate in the advisory committee
process to receive advice on rules related to silica sand environmental
review.
Meetings

The committee will have its first meeting January 29 and continue meeting
monthly until new rules or rule revisions are proposed. This process is
likely to take at least one year. Meetings of the committee will be public,
with some held at the MPCA or MDNR offices in St. Paul and some likely in
southeastern Minnesota.
January 29

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

State Office Building - Room 300 North
St. Paul: 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (55155) | map and
directions<http://mn.gov/admin/government/buildings-grounds/building-management/buildings/sob.jsp>

   - 1:00 p.m. - Welcome and commissioner's message
   - 1:15 p.m. - Legislative authors' message
   - 1:30 p.m. - Advisory committee introductions
   - 2:10 p.m. - Ground rules
   - 2:30 p.m. - Break
   - 2:45 p.m. - Rulemaking 101
   - 3:15 p.m. - Scope and group process
   - 3:45 p.m. - Next steps

Members

Panel members represent the wide range of stakeholders interested in the
regulation of silica sand mining, processing and transport, with equal
representation from units of local government, citizens, and industry.
Local government representatives

   - Beth Proctor, Lime Township
   - Allen Frechette, Scott County
   - Keith Fossen, Hay Creek Township
   - Lynn Schoen, City of Wabasha
   - Kristi Gross, Goodhue County and Minnesota Association of County
   Planning and Zoning Administrators

Citizen representatives

   - Kelley Stanage, resident of Houston County
   - Katie Himanga, resident of Lake City
   - Jill Bathke, resident of Hennepin County
   - Jim McIlrath, resident of Goodhue County
   - Vince Ready, resident of Winona County

Industry representatives

   - Aaron Scott, Fairmount Minerals
   - Mike Wallenius, Unimin Corp.
   - Brett Skilbred, Jordan Sands and Industrial Sand Council
   - Tom Rowekamp, IT Sands LLC
   - Tara Wetzel, Mathy Construction and Aggregate and Ready Mix Association

Members were chosen from respondents to a solicitation from MPCA and MDNR
in November 2013.



(c) State of Minnesota Silica Sand Information 2013