County Requires Frac Sand Companies To Begin Mining Within One Year Of Getting Permit

A Trempealeau County ordinance that requires frac sand companies to start mining within a year of getting a permit is getting the industry’s attention.

When a company wants to mine frac sand in Wisconsin, it needs a county reclamation permit — a legally binding plan for how and when the mine will be filled in. Nowhere else in the state has given out more reclamation permits than Trempealeau County, with 28 so far.

But according to Trempealeau County Land Management director Kevin Lien, only seven companies have actually begun mining, and this year, only four or five are removing sand.

He said that late last year, county officials passed a new ordinance to get companies moving.

“We came up with the recommendation that if they are in this industry, they are going to be actively mining or they are going to start reclamation,” said Lien. “They cannot sit idle for more than 12 months.”

Lien said the ordinance was a response to town officials and residents who want certainty about whether they’ll have sand mines moving in next door.

“That way it gives people around them a peace of mind,” said Lien. “Either yes, they’re going to be living with a sand mine in their neighborhood and can choose to sell and move on or just adjust to it, or the permit is going to be revoked and the process would have to start over.”

Lien said that in addition easing minds, the ordinance is also about environmental control. He said that open mines that are idle can have problems with mine waste running into nearby waters.

“Just to give an example, last year we had seven in operation,” said Lien. “All seven received (state Department of Natural Resources) issues related to stormwater violations.”

Since letters about the new 12-month deadline went out in January, Lien said six more companies have signaled intentions to starting mining.