Moratorium Expires

Winona County's moratorium on Silica Sand mining expired on May 1st. With the information gathered, the county's Planning and Environmental Services committee has been able to develop a comprehensive plan for the entire silica sand mining process, including a detailed application process for both new and currently operating businesses to be approved by the county. Several completed application packets are expected in the next few days. Silica sand is used in the fracking process as both a separation agent (splitting the rock) and a porous filter for the extraction of the natural fuels.