Board of Supervisors holds public hearing for amendment to zoning ordinance regarding frac sand mining and extraction pits at regular session

by Bob Beach

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing Tuesday, May 20 regarding a proposed amendment to the County's zoning ordinance to regulate the mining of frac sand and other industrial minerals. Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake explained that the County had received an application for the mining of silica sand almost two years ago, and though that application was eventually withdrawn, it did bring the issue to the attention of environmental advocates, the Board of Supervisors and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Blake said that after the Board of Supervisors imposed a moratorium on frac sand mining, the Planning and Zoning Commission went to work on developing appropriate rules to regulate such mining activity, and to that end the Commission held numerous public hearings and public forums and investigated many aspects of the mining industry.
Blake said that what the Planning and Zoning Commission recommends to the Board of Supervisors is the adoption of an amendment to the County's zoning ordinance that replaces the current section regarding extraction pits, with the goal being to impose higher regulatory standards on larger mining operations than smaller operations.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry Schellhammer commended the Planning and Zoning Commission on the hard work that was put into the amendment. "We've come a long way in a short time," he said. "I'm proud of P&Z and I'm proud of Allamakee County."
Ric Zarwell of the Allamakee County Protectors also commended the Planning and Zoning Commission on its work, noting the diligence with which the Commission worked and the Commission's willingness to take public input throughout the process.
Brian Fankhauser of the Iowa National Heritage Foundation thanked the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Supervisors for working to protect the County's natural resources. He noted that "meaningful and thoughtful collaboration" went into the development of the amendment and encouraged the Board of Supervisors to adopt it.
After closing the public hearing, the Board voted unanimously to accept the first reading of the amendment with the correction of two typographical errors and to consider the second and third readings of the amendment at its next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 27.

In other business, the Board approved a business agreement with THERAP for software to manage electronic medical records for the Case Management office.
The Board signed certification of the cost allocation report from Cost Advisory Services that calculated the indirect cost to the County to house offices for the Department of Human Services and the Case Management Office. The report will be submitted to the State for reimbursement of approximately $27,000 for the DHS office and approximately $16,000 for Case Management.
Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer informed the Board of two openings on the Rural Library Board; representatives are needed from Postville and New Albin. Beyer said that she would advertise to find volunteers for the positions.
The Board also met in closed session to discuss a legal matter. After returning to open session, the Board voted to settle a 2011 civil case regarding an open meetings law violation for $300.