We are asking them not to go along with Houston Co.'s idea that this was a permit "renewal," and to require the trout stream permit.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

  Here's a chance to take a few minutes and speak up.  We need to pile up the messages!

Talking points in the last paragraph.

Wishing you well,

Bonita 

 

On Friday, July 18, 2014 1:44 PM, Johanna Rupprecht <jrupprecht@landstewardshipproject.org> wrote:

Hello Houston Co. folks and neighboring county allies,

The DNR has still not made a final decision on whether they're going to enforce the Trout Stream Setback Permit requirement on the Erickson mine. Attached is a letter LSP sent to Commissioner Landwehr. We are asking them not to go along with Houston Co.'s idea that this was a permit "renewal," and to require the trout stream permit.

Here's the DNR's fact sheet about the trout stream permit: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/silicasand/silicasand-troutstream-setback-factsheet.pdf It includes the line, "Silica sand mining operations that were operating before May 24, 2013 are not required to obtain the trout stream setback permit." We believe this strengthens our case, since the Erickson mine certainly was not operating at that date, nor was there any active mining at the site for a long time before then.

I'm writing to ask you to help with this by calling Commissioner Landwehr and Governor Dayton. Ask them to make sure state law is enforced and a trout stream setback permit is required on the Erickson silica sand mine in Houston County. Let them know where you live and why you're concerned about this issue. Here are the numbers:

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr: 651-259-5022

Governor Mark Dayton: 651-201-3400

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Johanna

Johanna Rupprecht

Policy Organizer

Land Stewardship Project

Lewiston, MN

507-523-3366

jrupprecht@landstewardshipproject.org