Community Forum Will Discuss Possibility of Frac Sand Mining In the St. Croix Valley

Via River Valley Action:

The silica sand used in hydraulic fracking is a valuable commodity. Minnesota is home to extensive silica sand deposits, some of which are located at or near the surface in Washington County.

Frac sand mining is a complex and contentious issue. Concerns about intense truck traffic, water pollution and health impacts from silica dust are pitted against energy independence, jobs and economic stimulus.

Join us for a rare opportunity to hear about frac sand mining from citizen, community, regulatory, business and public policy viewpoints. The forum will be moderated by retired WCCO news anchor Don Shelby.

• Fred Harding, Member of Maiden Rock (Wisconsin) Concerned Citizens
• Bill Spitzer, Mayor of St. Charles, Minnesota
• Tom Landwehr, Commissioner, Minnesota DNR
• Rep. Peter Fischer, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee
• Dennis Egan, Executive Director, Minnesota Industrial Sand Council

Refreshments will be served prior to the event from 6:30-7:00 pm. Parking and forum seating are limited – carpooling is strongly recommended. This event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013
7:00-8:45 p.m.
White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church
328 Maple Street, Mahtomedi, MN 55115

For more information about the event, contact lwvwhitebearlakemn@gmail.com or go to RiverValleyAction.org.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters, White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church Climate Change Committee, River Valley Action, Izaak Walton League, Mahtomedi Area Green Initiative, Friends of Washington County, St. Croix River Association, and St. Andrew’s Environmental Stewardship Team.