Supervisors discuss proposed sand mining operation near New Albin; Public hearing scheduled for October 24

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, October 1, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with Mark Sylla and Rick Frick, representing Minnesota Sand Company, regarding plans for a sand mining operation in Allamakee County, five miles southwest of New Albin. Sylla said that the mine is in the early stages of planning and that public input on environmental and safety concerns would be welcomed.
Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Tom Blake said that the first official public hearing on the plan has been scheduled before the Allamakee County Board of Adjustment Wednesday, October 24. Blake explained that the mining operation would need to obtain a conditional use permit and that the Board of Adjustment would make the final decision on the issuance of that permit after doing its “due diligence” in considering traffic, safety, ascetic and environmental impacts of the operation. He said that he anticipated that the October 24 hearing would likely be limited to “fact finding” and said it would be unlikely that the Board would issue a permit during that initial hearing.
Blake added that the mining company is welcome to set up a public informational meeting on its own, suggesting that the New Albin Community Center might be an appropriate venue. Sylla said that he would look into arranging such a meeting prior to the October 24 hearing before the Board of Adjustment. Frick and Sylla said that they are willing to work with the County and its residents to ensure that all concerns about the operations are properly addressed.
The Board room was filled with members of the public who had concerns about the mining operation, among them Ric Zarwell of Lansing, who said that several Wisconsin counties have been dealing recently with sand mining operations. Zarwell said that as many as two dozen Wisconsin townships have issued moratoriums on sand mining to “avoid long-term serious damage” from the mining operations themselves and from the heavy truck traffic to and from the mines. He advised the Board to “exercise real serious caution” before permitting such a mine in the county.
Chairman Larry Schellhammer said that the Board is taking concerns about the mine very seriously and that County Engineer Brian Ridenour had reviewed the plan and had recommended studies that should be conducted to assess potential environmental, archaeological, ascetic, traffic and safety impacts. He added that notices of all public hearings regarding the permit process for the mine would be published as required by law.
The Board directed Blake to post the site plan for the mine on the County’s website prior to the October 24 Board of Adjustment hearing. Blake said paper copies of the plan are also available in his office, though there would be a fee to cover the cost of producing the copies.
The Board also met with County Attorney Jill Kistler regarding the County’s option to issue permits for the hauling of raw milk. She said that the Iowa Attorney General agreed with her assessment that the County has the option to issue such permits, but is not required to do so. She presented the Board with two resolutions to consider - one to issue such permits and the other to accept state-issued permits. The Board voted unanimously to pass a resolution to accept state-issued permits for the hauling of raw milk on County roads.
The Board also met with Waterville Fire Chief Dan Liddiard and Waukon Fire Chief Dave Martin regarding County-issued fireworks permits. Liddiard said that the policy the Board passed several months ago regarding fireworks permits requires local fire chiefs to sign off on the permits but does not provide any liability protection for local fire departments. The Board agreed to ask the County Attorney to review the policy.
In other business, the Board agreed with Head Custodian Mike Gallagher’s recommendation to hire Jason White of Decorah as a part-time custodian at $12.50 per hour based on his qualifications and experience.