Last day to push DNR for WI sand mining study

Believe it or not, the Wisconsin DNR has not done a comprehensive and scientific analysis of sand mining - - even though the number of mines with negative impacts on clean air and water is exploding - - and even harder and sadder to believe is that Gov. Walker doesn't want citizens to have the right to petition the agency to do one.

So Midwest Environmental Advocates on your behalf is formally asking for the study and Friday is the last day for citizens to sign on to that effort. Details below.

There is still time to sign the True Cost of Sand petition! There is still time to sign the True Cost of Sand Petition! Thank you to the hundreds of Wisconsin citizens who have already signed the True Cost of Sand petition. You are standing with people who live with the problems of frac sand mining every day. The petition is a simple, commonsense request to the state Natural Resources Board: direct the Department of Natural Resources to do a strategic analysis of the impacts of frac sand mining on our health, the health of the environment and our quality of life. Haven’t signed the petition yet? Sign online today.Share the petition before Friday, October 10. Collecting signatures in your community? It's time to mail in your signature pages to 612 W. Main St. #302 Madison, WI 53703. Citizens across Wisconsin are shocked to learn that our state DNR has never done a strategic analysis or other comprehensive environmental assessment of the impacts of the frac sand mining industry. The full True Cost of Sand petition (PDF) outlines many of the concerns we’ve heard from citizens – cancer-causing dust, polluted streams, diesel truck traffic, threats to natural habitat, and more problems associated with what people are calling the “new strip mining.” The request is simple. But the timing couldn’t be more urgent.  You don’t need to look much past recent headlines to see why we need action now. October 7 – Minneapolis Star Tribune: Wisconsin County Shuts Down Frac-Sand Operation “Running Wild,” a story on how the Texas-based Superior Silica Sands company was responsible for polluting a pond and operating without a license. September 29 – Wisconsin Public Radio: “Most Frac Sand Mining Facilities in Wisconsin Have Not Undergone Air Quality Evaluations – Only 20% of Active Operations Have Been Inspected by DNR” September 26 – Cedar Rapids, Iowa Gazette: “Report: Frac Sand Mining Threatens Health, Economies, Environment,” a story on a new, national study on the impacts of frac sand mining on the 58,000 people who live within one half mile from a mining operation in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. And last week, the National Institutes of Health released their latest edition of the Report on Carcinogens with a section on respirable dust from silica sand mining. The federal report reminds us that "residents near quarries and sand and gravel operations potentially are exposed to respirable crystalline silica” and more studies of air quality are needed. Download the silica report online(PDF). A strategic analysis is the first, important step toward better regulations and better protections of our water, air and land. And Wisconsin can’t wait. Sign the petition. Pass it on. Thank you for standing with Wisconsin citizens. Share the Petition! Can you share the True Cost of Sand petition on social media? Facebook: Visit the MEA Facebook pageand share the petition post at the very top of our wall. Tag friends who should see it too. Twitter: Tweet this message: "Sign the#TrueCostOfSand petition! We need the WI DNR to study health and environmental impacts of #fracsand miningmidwestadvocates.org/truecostofsand" Be sure to tag petition tweets with the #TrueCostOfSand hashtag. Mail in your petition signatures Attention Community Captains! Do you have printed petition signature pages or half-sheet story pages to mail in? Please mail them to 612 W Main St Ste 302, Madison WI 53703.  If you have questions, need more time or want help with postage, contact Stacy atsharbaugh@midwestadvocates.orgor call (608) 251-5047 x 1. Thank you so much for helping fellow citizens participate in this petition project!