Frac Sand Mining Banned In Winona County

Frac sand mining has been banned in Minnesota’s Winona County, just across the Mississippi River from La Crosse.

In a 3-2 vote Winona County Commissioners blocked any new frac sand mines or processing facilities from being built. Also, existing facilities will be barred from expanding. the ban is the culmination of years worth of effort by the environmental advocacy group Land Stewardship Project and citizens concerned about the harms of mining.

Commissioner Marie Kovecsi said the ban will protect citizens from air and water pollution, increased truck traffic and economic instability caused by sand mining.

“We kind of took a look at some of the activities in Wisconsin and we realized that it’s very much a boom and bust cycle,” Kovecsi said. “So, we factored that into our decision as an economic consideration.”

County commissioner Steve Jacob voted against the ban because he feels it singles out one industry. He said a Minneapolis law firm has already signaled it’s intent to sue.

“We can’t discriminate against any one industry any more than we can discriminate against, singling out one individual citizen and treating them differently than the rest of the citizens,” Jacob said.

Winona County has two active frac sand mines, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Just across the river in Wisconsin’s Trempealeau County more than 20 sand mines and processing facilities have been permitted, though only 12 are operational according to state records.