Many at open house oppose planned Chippewa Falls sand plant
By Chris Vetter
Chippewa Falls News Bureau
CHIPPEWA FALLS - Terry Bowe operates a photography studio at the north end of Chippewa Falls, near Highway S, and he is concerned about the increased truck traffic that is expected when a proposed sand processing facility opens. "I drive (Highway) S three times a day on average, and the sand plant would be right in the middle (of work and home)," Bowe said. "It will affect my quality of life and my business." Bowe was among hundreds of people who packed an open house Tuesday night at the Canadian Sand and Proppant offices in Chippewa Falls. Bowe asked the plant's general manager, Gary Stone, to install air quality testing stations near the plant. "You think about how much the community would be assured," Bowe said to Stone. Stone said he would consider the idea, but he believes the tests would not show any high emissions. Bowe said he hopes the company seriously considers the air quality testing. "They are downplaying that as a nonissue," Bowe said afterward. "And a lot of people here disagree." Canadian Sand and Proppant plans to build the processing facility in the northeast corner of Chippewa Falls on a 93-acre site that is zoned for heavy industrial use. At least one mine, located in the town of Howard, would be opened, and up to 250 trucks of sand a day could be hauled to the processing plant. The company has stated it would spend $45 million to $50 million to build the facility, and the plant would create 55 jobs. David Bleskacheck, 42, of Tilden wasn't persuaded by the information he heard at the open house. "I don't care if there are 2,000 jobs," Bleskacheck said. "I want my healthy, small community. It's not worth it." Bleskacheck wonders if his children will need to wear pollution masks while playing outdoors and how it will affect his wife's jogging routine. The open house was set up so visitors could stop at stations, talk to officials who will work on the plant, watch videos and check out exhibits on the type of sand that would be removed. Stone said the company does not plan to add a resin-coating operation at the processing plant location. Many of the concerns at a public forum last week were about the types of chemicals that could be applied during the resin-coating process. Scott Milsner of Canadian Sand and Proppant said the goal is to open both the plant and the Howard mine in spring 2010. He said mining won't begin this year because the company will not have any place to haul and process sand. Jim Pinter, 73, of Chippewa Falls lives 2.2 miles from the plant, and he also is concerned about the air quality from sand in the air and diesel emissions. Pinter said the open house didn't change his mind about the plant because he still has too many questions about the possible changes in quality of life. He said knows people who have decided to not move to Chippewa Falls because of the plant and others who are looking to move out of the city because of it. Pat Popple, an organizer of the group Concerned Chippewa Citizens, which is trying to stop the sand processing plant from moving forward, said the meeting didn't resolve anything for her. "I've asked a lot of questions, and I feel I've gotten the runaround," Popple said. "You can ask a lot of questions, but that doesn't mean you'll get the answers. It's a disappointment." Charlie Walker, Chippewa County Economic Development Corp. executive director, said he was pleased to see the high turnout at the open house, and he was more upbeat that the meeting would resolve some concerns. "We're very glad - relieved - that Canadian Sand got their information together to hold this open house," Walker said. "I think the citizens of Chippewa Falls and Chippewa County will get a lot of their questions answered. It's very positive." Vetter can be reached at 723-0303 or chris.vetter@ecpc.com.
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if the Sand is so bad for our health how come it can be used for pool filtration systems, and even media filters for water softeners, sand blasting to fix our cars fender benders before painting, sand traps at high class gold courses....
With everyone being concerned for the health of their community, why hasnt anyone brought up the issue of "known" cancers caused from silica sand? With the ban in place to protect non-smokers because of health reasons, wouldnt one think that this plant poses a greater health risk to those that work at the site, or reside in the vicinity that would be exposed to the drifting dust particles by the wind????? It's all about money dont fool yourselves!
why would sand go to wheeler by rail ? when the sand is trucked to Wheeler to get on the rail?..... already missed information...... Wheeler has no use for the sand... just goes to there via truck, to be loaded onto rail cars
the fairmount mines are shut down, not just the menominie plant but there other plants too in bay city, the only one running I heard is maiden rock. The reason they are shut down is the demand for sand is down, they have all there rail cars full across the country.... and as far as 50 trucks and hour.... I know there is more trucks going to and from the ethanol plant outside of Wheeler than there is sand trucks going to Wheeler.
50% of the sand mined at the Fairmount Mine in Menomonie is trucked out the the mine to Wheeler because there are not enough spurs and rail to take care of the sand produced there. About 25% of the sand is sent to the Cardinal Glass Co. It may be that 25% goes by rail to Wheeler. That plant has been shut down for almost the entire amount of February. Can anyone tell us why they have not been running? Have they run out of water to wash the sand? It would be interesting to know that in that the Chippewa Falls plant the company says, will not use much water. I am wondering if they have destroyed the capacity for the well to function. If any of you see this, please respond.
Going after the DNR is, indeed, the next item on our agenda. DNR regulations here are so low. The sand plant people haven't answered our questions, though. They have been intentionally misleading us. Also, the DNR does not regulate the diesel emissions from the trucks. Your figures on the Menomonie plant are factual incorrect. The number of trucks per hour have been recorded and this number is accepted by the officials at that sand plant in Menomonie. The average is 50 trucks per hour on that one highway.
and everyone wants a environmentally safe company, what do you consider environmentally safe. Do you know the types of chemicals that around some of the local companies right now that they use to make there products. I have nothing against TTM or Hutchinson I would work for them in a heart beat but they use some very nasty chemicals to make there products. They do it cause there are state and federal rules they follow to make sure there employees and the people outside the company are safe which I am sure the sand plant will have filter systems and bag houses to keep the employees and environment safe. THis isn't the 50's or 60's where companies do what ever they want to do whit the environment it will be monitored. Instead going after the mining company if you don't like the mining laws maybe you should go after the DNR to change the mining regulations.
to comment about highway 25 in dunn county, there is more trucks going to the Ethanol plant then hauling sand.... most of the sand goes to cardinal glass with just a few loads going to wheeler, when I see a few I mean less than the 100 plus grain trucks hauling corn to the Ethanol plant, and which there is another 50 or more trucks hauling bi product and fuel (Ethanol) out of the plant.... again why does one company have to pay to fix roads, then we all should either in taxes which we do or in a troll.... if strip mining is so bad, how come no one complains and shuts down the gravel pits they are digging a big hole in the earth. its ok to dig gravel and dirt cause you use it to fix your roads and landscape your house.... that probably isn't (GREEN) enviromentally
Highway 29/12 near the City of Menomonie has been affected by heavy trucking out of the sand mining/processing area of the Fairmount Plant as has Highway B,and I94 going to the west. However, the real wear and tear is extremely visible on State Highway 25 going north to Wheeler. Six large semi hopper trucks filled to the brim with silica sand from the Fairmount mine go through there in 7 minutes of time.......all has been observed and taped. The roads are dishing out for the first 4 miles or so and they were repaired in 2007. The road from D and North has been patched with asphalt. Ruts were so bad that Dunn Co. had to spend their money because there was no state money for repair. Since vehicles were hydroplaning during wet conditions and roads could not be adequately plowed during the winter, something had to be done to protect citizens. With the stimulous package, the governor has promised that 2.6 million would be put into road repair on state highway 25. Who is paying? Not Fairmount!!! We are. Don't tell me that we get value from silica strip mining and processing efforts. They take from us, not giving anything in return except token promises and small open houses hoping to impress us with their generosity! Get a life those of you who think that foreign companies coming here are coming for your advantage. They are coming for their OWN advantage and at OUR expense. Once there is a foothold in the NW area of the state there will be no stopping. They want silica from hills that can't be replaced. Help stop the effort before it goes any further!
The people in the City of Chippewa Falls are NOT against jobs!! We are looking for clean and environmentally friendly industries which would allow many of our citizens to be productively involved. Strip mining and the subsequent processing of it is not an environmentally friendly operation! The CSP people have really been trying to sell snake oil to the council, the mayor, and to the people of this town! They come in with their white robes to tell what a friendly operation they are without telling any of the dangers of the operation. This company wants frac sand suitable for forcing down oil and gas wells. They are supported by the large oil/gas operations who want to force frac sand into wells to squeeze even more out.Research indicates how bad this is to underground water, the hard pan, trees, animals etc. but it seems many hard heads out there don't want to know more about how bad this process is. Please read the latest issue of National Geographic. Look on the website to learn more about strip mining; research frac mining. Don't make comments that are without basis.
if people don't want the landscape changed by the sandmine why don't they go buy the land from the land owner. How can someone that doesn't own the land tell a land owner how he can use his land. So if I have a nice view in my back yard and don't own the land behind my house I can stop someone from building a house in my back yard...... and for the roads the sand mine trucks won't be the only trucks on the road... there are milk trucks and other heavy trucks that use the road....
We can look at the economic side of the story as well. CS&P will not be paying propery taxes for over six years, they have been given millions in bond money from the City and they have also been given TIF money from the City. When CS&P has been asked if they will help with the costs to repair the roads, they said no. Look at the roads near the Menomonie plant - they were replaced just a couple years before the plant came and now they will have to be replaced within five years, according to the DOT. Typical highways last at least 20-30 before they have to be fixed. CS&P will be making billions of dollars over the next 30 years while, once again, taxpayers will have to pick up the tab. This is the same old story - public money going to corporations and private money staying in the hands of the rich. When are we going to realize how much we're being screwed over?
That's pretty selfish, the reasons these people gave for opposing something that would employ half their city are petty little selfish reasons, basically they are saying, I don't care who dosen't have a job as long as I'm not at all inconvenienced.
Good luck Chippewa! I live near the Menomonie plant and what once was a farm field with beautiful hills and trees is now a sand mine and the landscape and life around here won't be the same (for at least 30 years). You will have noise, lights and the worst problem will be the dust. If you don't think sand can't travel far come by the Menomonie plant on a breezy day and watch the sand blow off the stock piles you will see plenty of dust blowing for quite a distance.
OMG people. Masks to avoid the rampant pollution from the plant? I've seen a brochure put out by the opponents of this plant that shows a billowing smokestack. Where the heck do you get these ideas from? How far do you think sand which is constantly being wet down can go? If it's more than 100 yards I'd be suprised! It's a great FUD campaign being sponsored by the opponents. Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt. Understanding the increased traffic flow is something to be understood. I got the impression it was going to be a couple trucks an hour. Please correct me if I'm wrong. It's not like it's going to be a constant stream of trucks. Please try and understand the reality of the operation, not the lies being spread around.
I will say that I do oppose the plant just because I just feel there are more negatives than positives to the plant. With that being said, I have come to realize that it is going to come here, and I just have to learn to deal with it. I could have gone to the meeting last night but I didn't because I have done my research and looked at both sides of the situation. I don't believe the Concerned Citizens were looking for answers, they were looking to accuse. I spoke with some people who attended and they had ALL of their questions answered. The CC could have had all their questions answered, but they wouldn't have listened anyway. This seems to be a group that will do anything to get their way, no matter what. I suppose we are all human and once we make our minds up about something we stick with that. But I was able to see the positive aspects of the plant and not fall into the trap of believing the CSP is just going to kill us all. I am so sick and tired of hearing about how they will cause us all cancer. Pactiv sends out more emmisions than CSP will, why aren't they targeted? I would like someone to answer that question who is against the plant. Let's not forget about the truck driver jobs that will be created that isn't included in the 55 jobs number. Let't not forget about the taxes they will be payng to help CF's weak economy. Let's not forget about the local businesses that will benefit for the materials needed to build and maintain the plant. Please, look at all aspects, don't be blinded like a horse into tunnel vision.
Posted by: faithful citizen at: 2/25/2009 9:31:15 AM
You people are such HYPOCRITES!!! You whine & complain that there's no decent paying jobs in the area, but when some company wants to build something, all you can do find fault!!! Get a life & just SHUT UP!!!
thats right there nothing around the sand mine and plant in Menominie, oh wait a Hospital, and other local business are not that far from it.... I am just saying you don't hear much negative references to it in the media... and they operate at least 3 other plants not far away
To address the comment at the bottom: the proposed plant in Chippewa will be four times as large as the Menomonie plant. People over in Menomonie are indeed complaining. A woman near that plant has to sweep out the sand from her garage on a daily basis and she said that she can't help but to drag sand into her house. She's getting tired of sweeping. Let's remember that that plant is only in its beginning stages. Let's also remember that many of the landowners near that plant are the same landowners that sold their land to the mining company over there. Of course they wouldn't complain - they're making large profits. The Chippewa plant also has a unique feature ... it's located within the City of Chippewa Falls near a hospital, school, daycare, retirement center, and residential area. It's almost as if they went out of there way to pick an area with the most vulnerable people in it.
I was at this event. Just like CS&P's presentation at the City Council meeting for the TIF funding, they did not answer our questions. I did learn a few new things, however. The wetlands on the site will be mitigated to Wisconsin Rapids. This probably sounds odd, but it is true. If a company destroys a wetland (and that is what they're doing - there is no debate on this), it must either create a new one in a different part of the state or it could buy one somewhere else. CS&P is doing the latter option. Legacy Bogs, LLC owns a large wetland area near Wisconsin Rapids and CS&P is simply buying a 1.7 acre parcel to make up for what it is destroying here. It seems odd, but it's true. I think that it would be safe to assume that Legacy Bogs (founded in 1999) was created to serve large corporations to bypass many conflicts that would arise with the wetland issue. I wonder which business interests were considered when this company was started (possibly large mining company interests?). When I asked the lady if there are potential dangers in destroying a wetland, she said yes, without an explanation. Wetlands serve as natural aquifers, which clean our water. So she was indeed right in saying "yes." The quality of our drinking water is at stake when we destroy wetlands.
I hear comments for and a against the new sand plant and mine. I personally think its a good thing. I hear people say its going to pollute or cause more traffic this and that. If a sand mind and processing plant is so bad why don't we hear anything or references to the sand mine and plant that is in Menominie. I know its a different company, but I assume it will be doing probably close to the samething. I know people that work at that plant and say good things about it.
