Review Process for Frac Sand Plants Being Discussed

The Buffalo County Land Resources Department is drafting guidelines to help towns review proposed frac sand mining projects, according to the Winona Daily News. The guidelines are the next step toward allowing towns to have direct input on proposals in their jurisdiction, a plan the county included in its updated frac sand regulations earlier this year.

Towns now have advisory say in approving or denying applications. While town boards are in charge of running their own meetings and review processes, a guide created by land resources is intended to help address common issues and questions that arise, particularly because the land resources staff has limited resources.

Staff participation at town board meetings would be limited to the first review of an application, mostly to answer questions and provide general information.

Zoning technician Peter Stoltman said land resources should play a limited role in mining permit reviews at the town level.

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