At least 40 arrested during frac sand protest in Winona

Protester Dan Wilson of Winona is escorted away by a Winona County sheriff's deputy during a frac sand protest Monday, April 29, 2013 at Winona's commercial dock on Riverview Drive. At least 40 people were arrested for trespassing and other minor offenses during the protest. (AP Photo/Winona Daily News, Andrew Link)

April 29, 2013 at 6:38 PM

WINONA — At least 40 people have been arrested in Winona during a protest of frac sand mining.

Protesters gathered at an intersection Monday and then walked to the commercial harbor and a sand processing plant on Winona's west end.

Winona Police Chief Paul Bostrack tells the Winona Daily News (http://bit.ly/14IqP0C) that about 20 people were arrested at each site after being warned they were trespassing on private property.

Winona Catholic Workers organized the protest. Protesters say their goal was to halt business operations at each site.

Dan Nisbit, owner of CD Corp., which leases the commercial dock, says the protest created a distraction for workers and temporarily slowed operations at the facility.

Frac sand is used by oil and gas drilling companies. Opponents of frac sand mining have raised environmental concerns.

Frac sand protesters walk along Riverview Drive to the commercial dock Monday, April 29, 2013, in Winona. At least 40 people were arrested for trespassing and other minor offenses during the protest. (AP Photo/Winona Daily News, Andrew Link)