Trempealeau County is virtually under siege by frac sand mining, processing, and trans-load stations companies/corporations!

Issue #24                                       DATE: September 13, 2013

 

Trempealeau County is virtually under siege by frac sand mining, processing, and trans-load stations companies/corporations!

Even though a moratorium (see attached) based on health issue concerns was passed on August 19, 2013, mining companies are lining up at every available moment to obtain permits for THEIR interests.

It is obvious that no county, no town, no city is immune. We must all support and work on issues together. Never has there been a time in this state when the work of the citizenry is so crucial. Please be involved in someway wherever your talents lead you, to attend meetings, to speak out, to write letters to legislators, the overseeing agencies, or to local officials! Your help is urgently needed; the work can not be left up to a few! Our lives and those of future generations must be protected! It is takes time and human energy to make a difference. Commit yourself to making that difference!

Even though the moratorium went into effect on August 30, 2013, High Crush has made application promising 70 jobs. They have pushed for annexation into Independence and Whitehall to avoid county regulations. Covered conveyors will be on the landscape and will be placed 25 feet high over county road Q. Developers agreements with Whitehall, Independence and the Town of Lincoln will be negotiated. These rough notes contributed by an attendee of the meeting tell a great deal of the story!

Hi Crush
70 jobs
Annexation of Independence and Whitehall landowners signed petition

Covered Conveyor 25 feet high over road Co Road Q Divided two annexations. 
development agreements with 
Town of Lincoln
Whitehall & Independence 

Land Use Agreement with Town??
Concerns property value guarantees 
Well water guarantees
Tax loss due to annexation. 
Air DNR
Storm water  DNR & County

Reclamation with City not county
2% moisture wet sand
They have air quality waivers at their other mines. 
Fabric filters 1/2 - 2 microns 
94% of water is recycled
Press plate 
Clarifier
100-250gal / mn. 
Floculants are used enzymatic polyacralamide 
Testing  water no acrylamides found. 
Questions
Rail cars visibility low 
Conveyors 4 ft clearance Total 6 ft high 
20-40 ft berms at dry plant 
No plans to sell any sand outside US
Goes to eagle ford and Bakken

Benefits to cities ?? 
Good paying jobs
Consistent wages don't lay off workers 
Set the bar for the industry??

Transparency 
No talk with people 2000 ft from rail. 
Limits 
Dry plant completely enclosed insulated 
Fans are noisy 
Local partners kicked under the bus? Ownership not local

Public filings available Haliburton SEC check?? Yes they are a customer 
Didn't answer questions about how much land they have in mind ?? 
Acreage ?? 1000 acres  they purchased it all 
Owned?? Expansion ?? Yes have taken cores in other area 
75 million invested 
Wyville sand all contracted. 
High Cap wells in Augusta problems DNR
Mt Simon aquifer is deeper 350 gal/ mn
Here 600 gal/ mn similar to irrigation well 
Arcadia
Hi crush purchased propert in Irvin's coulee 
How many Years   30 years agreements to buy out 


Badger mining neighbors. Felt they were run off their property by attrition. 
Barbara Gronemus 
Wants them to name the landowners
Respect for them they wouldn't name them. 
Ship east and west through Whitehall 
Blocking crossing  railroad liable 
Wells depth high cap wells 160 MtSimon residential shallower ?? 
200 feet deep higher up