Group launches effort to halt frac sand mining

BLACK RIVER FALLS — A group of landowners has officially launched its effort to halt frac sand mining in Jackson County.

A petition filed in Jackson County Circuit Court last month says county officials haven’t followed proper procedures for appealing zoning decisions and should re-consider a challenge of a rail spur for sand transportation in the town of Adams.

Attorney Tom Lister, who filed the court action, said the interested landowners wanted to begin with the rail spur because overturning its approval likely would help halt its associated mining operation in the town of Alma.

“We believe that the rail spur will, upon a full hearing, through the (court action), be avoided, and if there is no rail spur, there’s far less likelihood of a mine,” said Lister, who filed the action on behalf of Adams residents Ronald and Susan Kloss....

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Ken Notes: The lobby here is too strong. When gas prices return to previous levels sand will again be in demand and bans will not get legislative support. Try regulations, monitoring, and infrastructure impact taxes. These have more room for approval....