ST. PAUL, Minn. -
Busloads of protesters were on hand at the Minnesota Capitol Tuesday as State lawmakers for the first time held hearings for frack sand mining.
A couple years ago, most Minnesotans didn't know what frack mining was, now...
Senator John Marty says, "We have apparently a lot is interest in sand in this state.
There wasn't enough room for everyone who had an opinion on potential state regulation of the mining. With opponents looking for regulation on the growing industry, industry leaders say that there are already regulations in place.
Kirsten Pauly with the MN Industrial Sand Council says, "The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regulates stationary source emissions, state ambient air standards, water quality standards."
Representatives from Jordan Sands in Mankato say the area has had industrial sand mining for almost 40 years, and that local government can resolve any issues without state intervention.
Jordan Sands CEO Scott Sustacek says, "This area knows mining and they know how to regulate it."
Dozens of concerned citizens also spoke up.
Jody Mcllrath of Goodhue County says, "We have the best possible frack sand in the world in the worst possible place."
Bringing up worries of impacts on health, roads, and air and water quality-impacts they say they state needs to address.
David Williams from Fillmore County says, "Local government does not have the scientific ability to determine if silica sand is being mined, processed, and transported in a way that could cause substantial health problems such as silicosis."
Most of the citizen who spoke want the legislature to establish a state permitting process for the industry and put in place a moratorium until the state can decide it's next course of action.
Mcllrath says, "We need sate level bipartisan action we need to see the cumulative impacts for all of these involved counties."
Lawmakers took no action today, but bills related frack sand mining are expected to be introduced in the coming weeks of session.
One option lawmakers are likely to consider is commissioning a statewide generic environmental impact study.
