Proposed Bill “dangerous and reckless” says Wisconsin Mother about Frac Sand Legislation

3 Minute VIDEO

Senate Bill 349 “is dangerous and reckless,” says mother Julie Augesen, whose 7-year-old twins attend school near a proposed silica frac sand mine.

Augesen and other citizens around the state of Wisconsin may lose local control of mining sites in their communities.  Currently, municipalities may regulate air and water standards appropriate for each location.  If this bill passes, that power would transfer to the state, leaving “our hands tied to protect our children” from silica dust and other hazards says Augesen.

In Glenwood City, WI, where a 400-acre frac sand mine is proposed less than ½ mile from the public school of 650 children, Augesen claims she would rather leave the area than risk her children’s health, “even if that meant walking away from our home.”  Augesen says she wouldn't want to make the decision to go into foreclosure on her family’s home, but “if it meant  my kids' health, then yeah, I would do it."

Adding a sense of urgency is the discovery by Glenwood area residents that silica dust was recently discovered in a neighboring town’s school air filter.  A recent study by UW- Eau Claire's Crispin Pierce Ph.D. reveals that silica particles were discovered in the school air filter in New Auburn, a community which has several frac sand mine operations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WIvoices.org has been closely following this story:

•  Despite Burnt Petition, Three Recalls Likely in Glenwood; 10/13
• Mother against Mining Files Recall Petitions for 3 Officials in Glenwood City; 9/20/13
• 'The democratic process is window dressing,' says Man of Mining in Glenwood City; September 19, 2013
• citizen generated VIDEO of the September 16, 2013 Glenwood City Council meeting
• Mining Referendum Stalled, Negotiations Begin with Frac Sand Company; 9/12/13
• (VIDEOS) A Small Town Debates Silica Frac Sand Mining; 8/27/13
• Mine? Let us vote! Glenwood Area Residents Want Referendum on Frac Sand; 8/16/13
• Inside a Town Meeting on Frac Sand Mining; 3/8/13
• County official comments on Frac Mine; 1/24/13
• Frac Sand Mine Proposed Near School; 9/20/12

The Huffington Post report on Glenwood City frac sand

Want More Information? See WIvoices.org's Reference Document

You make these independent stories possible!
WI Voices is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization; Funds are being raised by the WI Voices Fund committee on behalf of the St. Croix Valley Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity. Your donations are tax exempt.
Please consider a donation today. Thank-you!