Menomonie & Colfax, WI: Proppant Specialists of Brady, Texas, is proposing to mine a silica sand quarry on about 430 acres, mostly on land owned by Darold Lausted next to Hoffman Hills, a WI State Recreational area inhabited by birds on the threatened species list. This sand mine should not be approved.
The actual quarry would be about 80 acres, with 20-acre sites mined at one time and then reclaimed.
The mine would be about three-quarters of a mile west of Hoffman Hills, a state-run natural area.
The site may include a sand-drying operation, which also could be in Menomonie or Colfax, said Ronald Jordan, president of Proppant Specialists.
About 100 truckloads of sand would leave the quarry per day during a 36-week season. The sand would be shipped out of the area by about 20 rail cars a day. The company would make the sand available for use in the oil production industry.
The project would last 20 to 25 years.
Jim Janowak, superintendent for the Red Cedar Trail, the Chippewa River Trail and Hoffman Hills is concerned about the impact the sand mine would have on the Hoffman Hills Recreation Area.
Janowak's concerns include air quality, the view from the observation tower and the impact on wildlife and bird species.
The view from the observation tower to the west would be directly overlooking the sand mine, Janowak said.
He also is concerned about the air quality in the area.
The observation tower is the highest point in Dunn County, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Menomonie and beyond,%u201D he said, noting that dust from the sand mine could seriously affect the air quality as well as the actual view from the observation tower.
In addition, Hoffman Hills is part of the Great Wisconsin Birding Trail, and birds that are on the threatened species list have been sighted at Hoffman Hills, Janowak said.
Since Hoffman Hills became part of (the Great Wisconsin Birding Trail) more bird watchers have been coming, he said.
Recreation and wildlife areas are a significant part of the economy of any area, Janowak said, noting that activity from the sand mine would have a negative impact on the wildlife at Hoffman Hills.
A quarter century
The Hoffman Hills Recreation Area has been in existence for 25 years, Janowak noted.
Over the past quarter century, homeschooling groups have used the recreation area for educational projects.
Cross country teams from high schools and the two universities in the area use Hoffman Hills for training purposes.
A number of weddings have taken place at Hoffman Hills, and marriage proposals have been made at the recreation area as well.
Picking blackberries is a popular summertime activity for families.
And eight or 10 Eagle Scout projects have been completed at Hoffman Hills, Janowak said.
A sand mine less than a mile away could have a negative impact on all of those activities, he said.
(Taken from the Dunn County News, www.dunnconnect.com)
