Houston County officials consider keeping mining at bay
Houston County commissioners are expected to vote today on a new mining ordinance that would regulate how close operations that extract and mine minerals and other materials can come to communities.
If approved at a public hearing, the ordinance would include silica sand, which is used for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
Critics say the proposed rule does not go far enough to monitor silica dust and it also does not limit the number of mines in the county. But Commissioner Teresa Walter said the ordinance has other requirements to regulate the industry.
"We have the setbacks, so you have to be a mile away from a stream or river," Walter said. "We have to be so far away from residences or churches or communities. There's quite a few restrictions, setbacks we call them."
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
There are currently no silica sand mines in Houston County but it is home to nine active mines used either for construction or agricultural purposes, Walter said.
She expects the ordinance to pass with some amendments.
"This new ordinance, it really brings in all the grandfathered ones in and brings them up to standards and the non-conforming mining as we call them," she said.
Fillmore, Winona and Wabasha counties have all passed similar mining ordinances in recent years.