Update, 12/11:
I learned of another public meeting on this issue, via Representative Rick Hansen's latest Legislative Update email:
. . .You can find more background information on the proposal here. Under state law, an Environmental Impact Statement has been drafted, and public comments will be accepted until January 17.
Next week, the City of Cottage Grove will hold an in-person public meeting on December 19 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Hero Center (10125 85th St S, Cottage Grove). You can also email comments to [email protected]. I hope you can join us to learn more about the project, and make your voice heard on this proposed mining project that could affect our communities, and environment, for decades to come. [end update]
If a casual observer had read articles published in the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune a short while back about plans by Holcim MWR Inc., formerly Aggregate Industries, to expand the Larson Quarry in Grey Cloud Island Township, that person couldn't be faulted for thinking the project is no big deal.
Check out Mary Divine's Environmental review on Grey Cloud Island mining company’s relocation plans released. Nothing to look at there.
Matt McKinney's Strib piece, republished on MSN, Mine operator on Grey Cloud Island wants to move quarries nearing depletion, hints at some tension:
A sand and gravel mining operation near Cottage Grove that hopes to continue digging along the Mississippi River is seeking approval to move each of its two quarries onto adjacent lands.
The moves by Holcim-MWR Inc., formerly Aggregate Industries, would allow it to continue digging up limestone for another 20 to 25 years in an area where it’s been operating since the 1950s to produce sand and gravel for the construction of roads, bridges, commercial buildings and homes. The company said in documents released Wednesday that its Larson Quarry and Nelson Mine otherwise have only a few years of life remaining. . . .
The mines have co-existed with nearby residents for decades in Grey Cloud Island Township and Cottage Grove, sometimes causing controversy as homeowners complain about noise, traffic and blasting operations. The Grey Cloud Island Township Board in 2022 denied two variances the company sought, saying residents feared lower property values and increased noise and vibrations. Several months later, Holcim asked Cottage Grove to annex 120 acres of its property, a move that would have taken away Grey Cloud Island Township’s ability to regulate the mine as well as the tonnage tax — about $28,000 in 2022 — the township receives each year. Holcim later rescinded its annexation request. . . .
A Washington County spokesperson said the board will listen to public comment and later determine if the existing plan for the Larson Quarry should go ahead or if further reviews will be necessary. A similar process will take place for the Nelson Mine plan, but with the city of Cottage Grove making the determination.
At the Larson Quarry in Grey Cloud Island Township, the company plans to expand the quarry onto a 148-acre parcel it owns to the east of County Road 75, according to the newly released environmental assessment worksheet. . . .
But a message to township residents that was forwarded to Bluestem suggests that not all want the project to move forward.
Anticipating tonight's Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, the person writes:
I would encourage all Grey Cloud Island Township residents to attend the next Town Board meeting 12-11-2024 7:00 pm. Holcim is working on getting approvals to mine on the east side of County Road 75. Their ultimate goal is to reroute County Road 75 all the way to the east side of the property and remove the existing portion of County 75. This is not clearly shown on the map Holcim provided but is their goal. See Option #1.
Holcim needs Washington County Highway Department and Engineering permission to do this. I have asked County Commissioner Karla Bigham if the County plans on approving Holcims plans. Karla responded Let’s see what the public comment process and required process reveals.
Commissioner Karla Bigham and County Engineer Wayne Sandberg are scheduled to attend our Board meeting 12-11-2024 at 7:00 pm.
This Holcim proposed mining expansion is a really big deal for the Township and would surely result in the demise of the Township if approved.
Washington County Highway Engineers have told the Township several times they intend to turn over ownership of County 75 to the Township. And legally they can do that. And they have stated if the road gets rerouted like Holcim is proposing it would definitely no longer qualify as a county road, and ownership of the road would become Township property. The Township would not financially be able to afford the maintenance and repair of this road and would be forced to annex to another City.
This will be interesting to say the least. The smallest Township in the State of Minnesota, against one of the largest global leaders in innovative and sustainable building solutions in the world.
Becoming part of an adjoining City is not the worst of this. Saint Paul Park, and Cottage Grove are both good cities.
The worst is the effect on all the Township residents.
Holcims proposal would put future mining operations as close as approximately 900 feet to neighboring homes. The homes along Grey Cloud Trail, and Geneva Avenue will be directly across from the mining area.
All the residents who travel County Road 75 / Grey Cloud Island Drive south of the proposed mine would have a reduced speed limit, added commute time, and an additional .6 miles each direction added to their commute each time they left home and returned.
This would be forever.
This is just step 1, the property is currently not zoned for mining, but the Township could possibly be forced to rezone it. I did get a response from The Metropolitan Council: Zoning decisions are made at a local level, and do not require Met Council authorization. This zoning amendment would be a local-level decision, which the Met Council would not comment on.
Holcims past annexation request was nothing compared to the current requests by Holcim.
We need full public participation on this. If this mining expansion gets approved, it will be the most devastating thing that ever happened to Grey Cloud Island Township residents. Keep in mind all for the profits of a Swiss owned Company.
There will also be a public meeting about the project in January,according to the Pioneer Press article.
I wasn't able to discover the author of the plea, but received it from a reliable source.
Grey Cloud Island may seem far away from Summit, South Dakota, but as the township's "About Us" page explains, Anglo-Dakota people like Grey Cloud Woman once lived there. And my beau's own ancestors, Akipa and Winona Crawford, and her children, once lived there.
I hope Grey Cloud Island Township residents speak up tonight and in January.
Photo: The Grey Cloud Island town hall. From the township's website.
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