Frac Sand Mining in Western Wisconsin

INTRODUCTION

Frac sand mining is a relevant topic because of the revenue it can generate but is also very controversial and is carefully monitored and regulated because of the environmental and community impacts it causes. The recent boom in West-Central Wisconsin has caused a need for research for county zoning regulations and DNR health and water quality reports. GIS is a useful tool that can be used to easily evaluate frac sand site location and evaluating negative health and water impacts.

 

DEFINING FRAC SAND MINING AND SCOPE OF RESEARCH

Hydrofracking pumps a mixture of water, chemicals, and silica sand into a well, fracturing and maintaining fissures in the rock layer to extract petroleum or natural gas. The silica sand required needs to meet specific industry specifications:

• Nearly pure quartz
• Very well rounded
• Tight size gradation standards
• High compressive strength

Described by Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, this type of sand is exclusively found in poorly cemented Cambrian and Ordovician sandstones and from unconsolidated alluvial sands locally derived from these sandstones. The use of hydrofracking has increased rapidly and thus too, has the demand for silica sand and has exponentially increased mining operations in Western Wisconsin where much of this sandstone is located.

In 2012, 60 silica extraction sites and 30 processing facilities were operational with an additional 20 proposed. Figure 1 shows all operational sites in 2011 and the underlying sandstone required for silica extraction. Most all locations are found in West-Central Wisconsin and export over 12 million tons per year.

Figure 2 represents the rapid growth rate silica extraction has seen just in the last five years. There was a total of 128 industrial sand facilities in which 92 were active, 32 inactive, and 4 in reclamation as of May 23, 2016 according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

ISSUES WITH FRAC SAND MINING

With any new booming industry comes traffic in and out the facility. Just as the wind turbine industry previously had problems, the frac sand industry can lead to traffic congestion and the wearing down of roads (Hart, etc al. 2013). This traffic has also lead to noise pollution for nearby residents such as Lenny Shier, who lives near a mine in New Auburn who has said the train engine and 24/7 traffic has ruined his family’s quality of life. Additionally, a pollutant called PM 2.5 that can cause lung problems is produced by these mines that weren’t being monitored until recently. (Gloninger 2015).

Environmentally, the predominant issue is with water pollution during storm water runoff which can have a devastating effect on locals and especially farmers. From just 2011 to 2013, there were 20 notices of violations. With few resources for the DNR to closely monitor these mines’ responsibility to environmental, health, and safety concerns, local zoning boards still have the power to decide where mines are located and how close they are located to homes, farms, and schools (Gloninger 2013).

REGULATIONS AND MONITORING

“The department (of Natural Resources) is committed to working with the sand mining industry while protecting natural resources through permits, regulations and compliance. Industrial sand mines must follow the same state requirements to protect public health and the environment. This includes getting necessary air and water permits from DNR. Industrial sand operations are required to provide ambient monitoring data to the DNR on a monthly basis” (WI Dept. of Nat. Resources).

Registration for a mining permit requires a legal description of the property, follow state and local zoning laws, certification by a registered geologist that the deposit is a marketable deposit, and the approval of the county board.

GIS APPLICATIONS

Specifically in GIS II at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the use of land cover, zoning areas, soil survey, and transportation lines will be combined to produce an overview of where a sand mine might or might not be suitable to Eau Claire County.

RESOURCES

Gloninger, Chris. "Wisconsin sand mining is big business, but health effects questioned." WISN. October 15, 2016. Accessed March 03, 2017. http://www.wisn.com/article/wisconsin-sand-mining-is-big-business-but-health-effects-questioned/6325716.

Hart, V. Maria, Teresa Adams, Andrew Schwartz. “Transportation Impacts of Frac Sand Mining in the MAFC Region: Chippewa County Case Study.” University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2013. Accessed March 03, 2017.

Robertson, M. James. “Frac Sand in Wisconsin.” Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey.
2012. Accessed March 03, 2017. http://wcwrpc.org/frac-sand-factsheet.pdf.

“Silica Sand Mining in Wisconsin.” Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. January, 2012.
Accessed March 03, 2017. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Mines/documents/SilicaSandMiningFinal.pdf.

 "Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources." Industrial sand mining - Wisconsin DNR. July 5, 2016. Accessed March 03, 2017. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Mines/Sand.html.