A proposal that would open crystalline silica sand mines in Fillmore, Winona and Houston counties is back in play.
Rick Frick, of Houston, has given the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board a check for about $130,000 so the agency can do scoping work on a full environmental impact statement for mines in three counties, according to Will Seuffert, EQB executive director.
Frick and several other investors formed Minnesota Sands LLC, which was behind plans to open mines south of St. Charles. In the face of local opposition, the other investors dropped out. Frick agreed about two years ago to pay for a full impact statement in addition to the smaller environmental assessments. Also, the EQB Board said that the different mines were a "connected action" that spanned several governmental jurisdictions and in total would be big enough to require the major study.
But that study was on hold until Frick came up with the money, which he gave to the EQB late last month.
Seuffert said the EQB won't know the extent of the plans by Minnesota Sands until Frick tells the staff where and how big the mines would be. He indicated he will send project proposals to the EQB by the end of February.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to the EQB, an environmental impact statement is "an in-depth analysis used for major development projects that will significantly change the environment. The statement covers social and economic influences, as well as environmental impact, and looks at alternate ways to proceed with the project."
