Home Local South Metro Compromise frac sand deal nixes effort to put trout stream areas off limits to mining
In a retreat from tough language that would have banned frac sand mining within a mile of any trout stream in southeastern Minnesota, state officials have reached a compromise that would allow the industry to encroach on the areas as long as they follow a new permitting procedure overseen by the Department of Natural Resources.
As part of the deal, Sen. Matt Schmit, D-Red Wing, said he won’t initiate a fight on the Senate floor to amend the game and fish bill with the stronger trout stream setback language that was initially supported by Gov. Mark Dayton.
The road to the compromise started late last week in a meeting Dayton arranged with Schmit, industry representatives, three state agency heads and organized labor. The new language, in addition to an assortment of other checks on the fast-growing industry, are planned to be finalized this week in the environment-finance bill.
If the deal solidifies as expected, the session would end without sweeping statewide environmental protections sought by a throng of “fractivists” from areas around Red Wing, Wabasha, Winona, Chatfield, Lanesboro and other areas of southeastern Minnesota. They supported Schmit’s original effort to pass a statewide moratorium against frac sand mining until the state could conduct a comprehensive study of the industry’s cumulative effects in order to adopt statewide environmental and health standards.
“Senator Schmit fought as hard as he could, but there is just nothing comprehensive that will come out of it,” said Bobby King of the Land Stewardship Project, an environmental advocacy group based in Lewiston.
Schmit said he believes the session will end with enough new safeguards to “make a difference” in protecting tourism, trout streams and rural life against sand mining expansion in counties south of the Twin Cities and along the Mississippi River.
“We have not left with an empty bag, that’s for sure,” Schmit said.
Jason George, legislative and political director for Local 49 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, said the deal worked out in Dayton’s office last week strikes a good balance. George fought successfully against a proposed moratorium and other statewide involvement in the frac sand industry to protect jobs in the state.
“We’re going to have an industry in Minnesota, and it will be done the right way,” he said.
May as well quit Trout fishing now.
All chance of peace, quiet and tranquility with a beautiful natural background have just been thrown out the window. 
It’s all about Money, they don’t give a dam about keeping anything beautiful anymore when there’s money to be made. 
