The first rock quarry permit sought since Buffalo County, Minn., passed new mining regulations last spring has won unanimous backing by county board zoning supervisors, according to the Winona Daily Journal.
The Land Resources Committee voted 4-0 in favor of recommending the county Board of Adjustment issue a conditional-use permit for a quarry in the town of Montana, Minn.
Hildegard Bragger Trust of Montana and Gerke Excavating LLC of Tomah, Wis., applied for a permit to open a quarry for mining limestone to sell for roadwork projects, driveways, lots and other construction uses. A September permit application described a two-phase quarry operation lasting up to 20 years.
Mining about 300,000 tons annually was specified with trucking expected to haul 13,600 loads a year averaging 50 per day.
A reclamation plan for returning post-quarry property to pasture and woodland was approved by the state Department of Natural Resources. The company leasing the land has a policy of reclaiming land as the mining project moves along.
The Montana Town Board has recommended approving the permit, as well as the Buffalo County Highway Committee.