The Oneida County, Wisconsin Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process for non-metallic mining (gravel pits) does not sufficiently protect the residents of Cassian Township against damages caused by non metallic mining operations. This leads to excessive noise affecting surrounding residents, potential contamination of ground water with sand and other sediments, and potential destruction of hunting, forest and wildlife habitat. Outside mining companies dig up resources, sell them for profit (some admittedly back to the local township) and then leave an ugly hole in the ground that locals and visitors have to look at for years to come. To make matters worse the township receives no proceeds from the huge profits these mining companies extract from the ground.
We demand that the town board pass an immediate one year moratorium on expansion of non metallic mining, reactivate its planning commission, and have the planning commission develop Cassian's own non metallic mining ordinance for the board to pass within that year time period.
This in order to protect the residents' land value, wildlife, forest and beauty for future generations.
