“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men, or greedy interests, skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”
Theodore Roosevelt

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

 In case you were not in Eau Claire....information without the travel.
Wishing you well,
Bonita


The video Forum/Panel sponsored by the Penokee Hills Project and titled: Dangers Unseen: Blasting Ultra-Fine Particles and Human Health is now posted on YouTube at the following address:

 The session was WELL attended, there was a great deal of interest and the questions were outstanding. Dr. Crispin Pierce and his students and Dr. Michael McCauley shared a great deal of information. Bob Kincaid, a well known broadcaster, moderated the panel. This event applied to those living in the Appalachians living in W. VA. as well as to Wisconsin folks surrounded the the frac sand industry and hilltop removal strategies.
Please share with people everywhere! Feel free to post on websites, facebook pages and wherever people might benefit by viewing the production.
Thanks to Liz for her work in videotaping, posting it on YouTube and helping to get out these messages to people around the nation!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Please join us for the Silica Sand Mining Update tomorrow

Dear Friends and Neighbors,
  Carpooling can make this easier and more pleasant.  Should you wish to share trip from Lanesboro area, please phone me tonight until 9:30 or tomorrow by noon. 507-467-2157.
Wishing you well,
Bonita
 

 
Please try to attend.  MPR is misreporting about this issue, claiming that mining within 1 miles of trout was banned by the legislature.  Senator Schmit did try to get that in law, but the pro-mining folks defeated it.  Under the compromise that passed, mining is allowed with a permit from the DNR
People working to make sure frac sand is adequately regulated tell me that the industry most likely wants people think that any additional measures are overly burdensome.  Review coverage from last April and May.  Thanks.


Please join us for the Silica Sand Mining Update tomorrow (Wed Nov 13) at 7:00pm at the Heintz Center in Rochester


SILICA SAND MINING UPDATE for SE MINNESOTA
with Sen Matt Schmit (DFL-RedWing)

Come hear the latest in the silica sand debate with SE Minnesota’s champion on the issue.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Location: Heintz Center Commons
1926 Collegeview Rd SE, Rochester

Open to the Public
Sponsored by SD 26 DFL and Olmsted 25 DFL
Light refreshments will be served.

Friday, November 8, 2013

new scientific research project financially sponsored by the Wisconsin Farmer's Union

 Dear Readers of the Frac Sand Sentinel.

I am pleased to announce a new scientific research project financially sponsored by the Wisconsin Farmer's Union.  A tremendous volume of preliminary research work has been done by Dr. Ron Koshoshek, Professor Emeritus,  University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, in order to transform his findings into an action research project that could impact the health conditions of current and future generations to come.

I urge you to consider a gift to the Wisconsin Farmer's Union so as to develop and sustain this project.

Thank you much for your concern, your continuing efforts, and your diligent work in keeping your communities and rural areas healthy and safe from harm.  I urge you to spread this message to the members of your groups and friends, family and neighbors throughout your region via email, face book pages and websites!
Sincerely,
Pat Popple

A MESSAGE FROM RON KOSHOSHEK:
Greetings:
 
         I have attached the announcement of a partnership scientific research program for sampling indoor air quality near mining facilities in willing homes, businesses and other places where humans gather such as schools, hospitals, clinics and daycare facilities. The equipment used is approved by both OSHA and WOHL. WOHL’s analysis will measure the concentration of respirable crystalline silica PM 2.5 in the samples collected rather than just measuring the volume of dust. It is a sampling program, not a monitoring program.  It has a scientific, not a regulatory purpose.  Since respirable crystalline silica has not been added to the list of air pollutants, there is no standard for respirable crystalline silica.  Thus, in the absence of a standard, regulation by any public agency in Wisconsin, including DNR, is legally impossible.
 
        The partners in the program include the non-profit foundation of the Wisconsin Farmer’s Union, the County Health departments who choose to join the program and conduct the research, Dr. Tom Peters and his research group at the University of Iowa, and the Wisconsin Occupational Health Lab. The WOHL will analyze the samples for the concentration of quartz PM 2.5.  The program can also be expanded to interested communities in Minnesota and Iowa, although its initial implementation is here in Wisconsin.
 
        As you know so well, there is a major effort in the legislature to prevent the gathering of scientific information about air quality impacts of the frac sand industry.  The four “top tier” companies that make up WISA (Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association) have been instrumental in drafting the legislation abolishing local control as well as any monitoring by local governments.  Despite this group’s repeatedly expressed desire for policy based on science rather than speculation and scare-tactics, they support the abolition of scientific investigations regarding air quality.
 
        I suspect that the county health departments may need some help and support in counties with county boards that oppose science based knowledge of air quality impacts.  Please send this announcement out on your list serves, websites, and face book pages! Will keep you informed regarding future developments.
 
Ron Koshoshek
Professor Emeritus, UWEC
 

Community Partnership for Indoor Air Sampling
 
A project to establish a partnership for indoor-air sampling between county Public Health Departments, medical and scientific professionals and the WI Farmers Union Foundation
 
                There is a widespread concern among citizens and officials in our rural communities (including our Farmers Union members), as well as professionals within the medical and scientific community about the lack of monitoring for the level of respirable crystalline silica (RSC) in close proximity to frac-sand mining operations, including near mine sites themselves, processing and trans-loading facilities, and along the routes on which frac sand is frequently transported.   
 
                We realize there are financial and legal obstacles faced by government at any level to monitor for RSC in the ambient air near mining operations, even if they wish to do so.  However, the outside air does enter into the homes and businesses located near these operations.   A program of sampling indoor air is not faced with these obstacles and can be conducted by health care professionals who are already in place in the Public Health Departments of county governments, and already experienced in sampling indoor air quality for a variety of pollutants.  
 
                The non-profit Foundation of the Wisconsin Farmers Union is proposing to coordinate a partnership with county Public Health Departments to establish a program of sampling indoor air quality for the concentration of respirable crystalline silica in the homes, businesses and other buildings of willing owners at sites located near frac sand mining operations.   The Foundation’s role in this partnership will focus on two elements: (1) providing local health departments with the use of very high quality sampling equipment free of charge, and (2) coordinating the sharing of data from county sampling efforts for review and analysis by a nationally recognized scientific investigator.    
 
                The County Health Departments will have control of the on-the-ground aspects of the program, including choosing the sites it will sample, and the operational process for placing instruments and gathering samples. Information on sites and participants will be retained confidentially within the county. All collected samples will be independently tested by the WI Occupational Health Lab. Counties will be responsible for costs associated with sampling and WOHL testing of  the results.
 
                Because of the serious interest in studying health impacts shown by your county moratorium, we are here this evening to offer your county  the opportunity to be an initial participant in a trial run of this program.  We hope offer the same opportunity to several other county health departments at their November regional meeting.  If your use of the samplers shows promise, we intend to expand the program to other interested counties as well.
 
                After much consultation with leading experts, we have discovered that the equipment needed for a study such as this is far more sophisticated and much more expensive than the personal air samplers commonly used for OSHA sampling of indoor air quality. The WFU foundation has agreed to provide funding to purchase the initial equipment for the project and to provide this equipment free of charge to selected county health departments for their use in the trial period. If successful in providing useful data, we will solicit additional funds to expand the program. Project funding will consist of donations to our non-profit Foundation, and will come from our members and other local sources in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, including  members of the medical, scientific and business communities. Our goal is provide a scientifically valid study at a cost that is affordable to local governments and which can be managed by existing professional staff.
 
                In order to provide a scientifically valid framework and analysis for the project, the Foundation will be partnering with Dr. Tom Peters, PHD, MS, CIH.   Dr. Peters is an Associate Professor in the University of Iowa’s Dept of Occupational and Environmental Health and is a certified environmental engineer and a national leader in air quality research.  He also leads a team of scientists including toxicologists that make up the University of Iowa Laboratory Research Group.    
 
                Dr. Peters has agreed to provide continuing counsel to the Foundation and participating counties regarding any special issues that may arise in the project.  In exchange for his expertise, the Foundation has agreed to provide Dr. Peters with the results of the WOHL’s lab analysis of each sample.   Dr. Peters will evaluate the significance of the numerical data and use the data for his own research and publication purposes. The Foundation understands that the numerical data are open to the public,but that the location of the sampled site and its owner are confidential matters that must be shielded from public view both by the Foundation and the County.
 
                The Foundation also wants to express its appreciation for the advice and counsel of  Stephen Klafka, a board certified environmental engineer and President of Wingra Engineering in Madison WI, who has contributed greatly to the selection of the appropriate sampling equipment and to understanding the various issues associated with both ambient and indoor air sampling.    Mike Cavanaugh, Director of Consultation at WOHL, has also been instrumental in setting the stage for cooperation with WOHL over the entire course of this program.
 
Tom Quinn      
Executive Director
Wisconsin Farmers Union
 
Ron Koshoshek
Professor Emeritus, UWEC


Monday, November 4, 2013

** CALL TO ACTION **


Dear Friends and Neighbors,
  Public Clamor is not usually adequate to make change in the long term.  We need large numbers of people to be engaged for informed citizen input to make a difference.
  The  Minn. Environmental Quality Board is creating “model standards and criteria for mining, processing and transporting silica sand” for local government to use if they choose. The EQB is accepting public comments  on the Model Standards and Criteria until only Nov. 12 (subtract Veterans Day holiday & we have only 5 workdays left).
   So…
1. Write these people at the EQB:
Will.Seuffert@state.mn.us  Executive Director
bob.patton@state.mn.us Commissioner of Agriculture
    a.  Identify yourself & state why you care about frac sand mining in SE Minn.
    b. Couple sentences what you want EQB to do.
        (Choose from list below or create your own.)
    c. Thank them for excellent “Report on Silica Sand” (3/23/13) & say we need them to stand strong for        protecting  our environment and current economic engines from the damaging impacts of the extractive industry of frac sand mining so our region can have a healthy, sustainable future.
2. Write Governor Mark Dayton (mn.gov/governor/contact-us/).
    He is working from home for a couple of months, so phone calls relayed through his office staff will not be direct communication.  He does Facebook, should you wish to use that.
  Push…so he can lead.
  Emphasize that a legacy of a healthy, sustainable future for our region depends upon his support.  We need him to act to protect the fragile karst geology of the Paleozoic Plateau area.
  Ask what we can do to help him achieve this.
3. Contact your friends in other parts of the state.
    If you need to, explain that this issue is about frac sand mining, not metallic mining or other industrial sand mining – as has been in the Mankato area for a long time.
  Ask them to take the same actions.  This may feel like a stretch, but we need to increase numbers of engaged citizens.  You can be ready to reciprocate when they have an issue of concern with which you agree.
4.  (This IS a stretch, but important)
    When we are not satisfied with just chatting amongst ourselves, we must start connecting with people we do not know well (yet) and ask them to join our efforts.
  We each have the opportunity and choice to do what we can – each day.
Wishing you well,
Bonita
 
POINTS  TO  SEND  TO  EQB  FOR  MODEL  ORDINANCES
Model standards must make it possible for local organizing to maintain or enact strong ordinances, including bans on frac sand mining.
Lay out standards and criteria that cover a spectrum of goals which local communities may want to achieve with a local ordinance, based on most restrictive ordinances in effect.  They would range from a ban to strong local standards to protect specifically identified areas of concern such as air quality, health, property values, roads, water quality.
Propose nothing weaker than what has already been adopted.
Do NOT create weak model standards that could undermine existing local ordinances or efforts to pass strong ordinances, including bans.
Health Impact Assessments must be done for every single mine site.
Conduct baseline measurements of water, air, noise and traffic before mining begins.
Hard and firm 1-mile setback from designated trout streams or Class 2A waters.
At least 25 feet of undisturbed sand above the highest water table to retain effects of water filtration.
Infrastructure damage:  Hold industry responsible for all cost of road damages.  If they just pay a portion, the taxpayers cannot keep up with accelerated rate of repairs for shortened life of roads.
Truck Traffic:  Speeds and frequency of trucks inconsistent with local uses.
“Reclamation” is a joke. We need honest assessment of what is possible use of land when mining eventually ends.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

YOU ARE INVITED TO A FORUM: Friday, November 15, 2013

YOU ARE INVITED TO A FORUM:
DANGERS UNSEEN: BLASTING, ULTRA-FINE PARTICLES AND HUMAN HEALTH
Friday, November 15, 2013 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - UW-Eau Claire Campus - Davies Center
105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire, WI
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
Dr. Crispin Pierce, Associate Professor and Director of the Environmental Public Health Program at UW-Eau Claire, has been a UW-Eau Claire faculty member since 2003. He has mentored graduate and undergraduate students while conducting research on factors that may lead to overexposure of children to heavy metals, antibiotic resistant bacteria, measurement of toxicants in the human body, and exposure to airborne particulates and silica.  Dr. Pierce is a Fulbright Scholar and recently conducted research on heavy metals in children’s hair in Finland during the spring 2012 semester. He is very active in issues of human environmental health and resource conservation.

Dr. Michael McCawley is currently the Interim Associate Dean for Research and Interim Chair, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health in the School of Public Health at West Virginia University. He has approximately 50 peer reviewed publications in the scientific literature and holds six patents for pulmonary disease diagnosis and dust sampling techniques. He received his PhD from New York University in Environmental Health and his Master’s Degree in Engineering from West Virginia University.  He has held teaching positions in both the School of Medicine and the School of Engineering at West Virginia University. He has served as a private consultant to citizens’ groups, government and industry on air contaminants. Starting in 1974 to his retirement in 2001 he worked for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. He was responsible for coordinating Institute wide activities among Divisions for silicosis research and acted as a liaison with the staff of the Assistant Secretaries of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and Mining Safety and Health (MSHA) and served as an on-site consultant to the State Department on the effect of oil fire smoke in Kuwait after the first Gulf War. His work also included developing novel approaches to dose assessment through development of sampling methods and instruments to evaluate dose to the lung more accurately, especially for ultrafine particles.

Bob Kincaid is a co-founder of the A.C.H.E. Campaign. A nationally known broadcaster whose network has devoted more time than any other broadcast medium to educating people about the imperative to end Mountaintop Removal, Bob is a resident of Fayette County, WV, where his ancestors have lived since the 18th century. He is the father of four and grandfather of three of Appalachia’s coming generations.  Bob has traveled the country and across the ocean to build awareness of the self-sacrifices imposed on Appalachian people by foreign corporations, and serves as the President of the Board of Directors of Coal River Mountain Watch, where he strives to help people understand that the crisis in Appalachia isn’t merely an “environmental” one, but a full-scale human rights disaster unfolding before people’s very eyes.

A flyer/poster and additional information will follow. Presented by the Penokee Hills Education Project.
Sponsored by Save the Hills Alliance/Concerned Chippewa Citizens and the Frac Sand Sentinel.