In a first, Minnesota asks Winona County to assess risks of frac sand

Article by: TONY KENNEDY , Star Tribune
Updated: February 9, 2013 - 5:09 PM

Winona County will decide on requests tied to frac sand mining.

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theruntFeb. 7, 13 9:23 PM

Five frac sand facilities within a five-mile radius near Winona? Makes me shudder. Crystalline silica is a toxic substance -- hard on human lungs, birds and woodland creatures.

mnlakes56Feb. 7, 13 9:35 PM

good call winona

billybillyFeb. 7, 13 9:58 PM

This is as toxic as it gets. A natural element, land owners who are also politicians and money to be made.

greatxFeb. 7, 1310:18 PM

It appears to me the state agency's want Winona County to do the state agency's job? What's next, I get to **decide** whether to add clothing to the sales tax collection? Since Dayton hasn't a clue about how much I already spend on clothing and taxes in general.

greatxFeb. 7, 1310:20 PM

"hard on human lungs, birds and woodland creatures." --- So is dirt, you are not supposed to eat it.

davidtbrooksFeb. 7, 1310:29 PM

And to think North Dakota is ruining their state just to make some money for a short period of time. This is the very definition of being shortsighted. What will North Dakota be like in 20-30 years?

SorghastrumFeb. 7, 1310:40 PM

Time to get the frac out of Winona.

nathanhaleFeb. 7, 1310:59 PM

Seriously? Crystaline Silica is a toxic substance? People that's another word for SAND. And if blowing sand were indeed a "toxic" substance that was a danger to public health than everyone in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Egypt, Lybia, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and parts of Calorfinia would be deathly ill. Thy're not because there is no risk. We've had large scale sand mining operations in Maple Grove, and previously in Edina (centennial lakes area) and there were NEVER any and have never been any public health risks. Sand mining is safe and vital to the econimic security of our region.

nessmessFeb. 7, 1311:02 PM

If Crystalline silica is a toxic substance, then sand boxes need to be banned... Water is a toxic substance also....

tgirFeb. 7, 1311:35 PM

""hard on human lungs, birds and woodland creatures." --- So is dirt, you are not supposed to eat it." Or breathe it. That's the point. Yes, there are economic concerns to be balanced but there is no price high enough to compensate for the loss of natural beauty and environment for the profit of a few.