Aerial view of frac sand mine in Wisconsin. Photo by Jim Tittle.
You are invited to the Land Stewardship Project workshop:Using Township Zoning Powers to Control Frac Sand Mining & Harmful Developments.
While geared toward frac sand mining concerns in Southeastern Minnesota, local officials and concerned citizens from across the state may find the training helpful.
There are two opportunities to attend:
Thursday, Aug. 23, in Frontenac at the Sportsman’s Club & Community Center
Thursday, Aug. 30, in Rushford at St. Joseph Catholic Church
Both are from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Registration at 5 p.m.; meeting starts promptly at 5:30 p.m.)
RSVP required as space is limited. RSVP online HERE. Or you can contact Bobby King at 612-722-6377 or bking@landstewardshipproject.org. Leave your name, address, phone number and e-mail when you RSVP.
The cost is $10 payable at the door. Directions are at the end of the e-mail or click here.
Townships have the right to restrict or ban silica sand mining. The workshop was created in response to calls from township residents for more information on how the threat posed by frac sand mining can be dealt with at the township level. The state of Minnesota has not taken any meaningful action on this issue, despite the evidence in Wisconsin of the harm posed by this type of mining. At the county level it is not clear protections will be put in place to adequately protect communities from frac sand mining. Many are realizing that it may be up to the township to make sure the community is protected from the outside corporate interests proposing these large-scale silica sand mines. This is your opportunity to learn how to do that from some of Minnesota’s leading experts on township rights.
Presenters at the workshops have decades of experience on this issue:
Nancy Barsness has been the clerk and zoning administrator in Pope County’s New Prairie Township for over 30 years and is one of the state’s leading experts on township rights. As a consultant for townships, she has helped write ordinances for over 30 townships.
Jim Peters is an attorney who has worked with and represented townships across the state. He has helped townships adopt moratoriums and land use ordinances in response to unwanted development and successfully defended township ordinances in court.
David Williams is a township officer from Fillmore County’s Preble Township, and an attorney with expertise in township zoning. David has developed a common-sense framework for how townships can approach the issue of using zoning to control silica sand mines.
Kristen Eide-Tollefson is on the township planning commission of Goodhue County’s Frontenac Township. She has a degree in public engagement and environmental planning from the Humphrey Institute and worked with her township to produce a community-based comprehensive plan in 2003 that mapped “sensitive features” and used zoning to protect natural resources.
Topics to be covered:
How to adopt a moratorium and what it means for your township.
Steps for successfully implementing township zoning.
Common myths and misinformation about township zoning.
Zoning ordinances to address silica sand mining and explanation of townships’ strong authority to use zoning powers to restrict or ban silica sand mines.
Zoning as a tool to protect township natural resources and rural character.
What happens if the township is sued?
As a township resident, what is the most effective way to approach the township board about adopting a moratorium and updating or creating township ordinances?
Who should attend?
Township officers who want to learn the basics about adopting a moratorium, implementing planning and zoning, and strategies about ordinances to restrict or ban silica sand mining.
Township residents who want to organize for action at the township level and be effective at using township zoning to limit or ban silica sand mining.
Directions:
Sportsman’s Club and Community Hall (3031 Territorial Rd.) in Frontenac: Take Hwy 61 into Frontenac. Turn south on Cty. Rd. 2 and cross the railroad tracks. Take the second left onto Territorial Rd. The drive for the Center is the first right.
St. Joseph Catholic Church (103 N Mill St.) in Rushford: Take Hwy 43 into Rushford. The church is directly across the street from the Rushford Peterson High School
