MN HF906

Environmental Quality Board shall develop model standards and criteria for silica sand mining, processing, and transporting by October 1, 2013, available for local government ordinance development.

Model standards and criteria must address setbacks/buffers from residences and sensitive areas, hours of operation, water quality monitoring, air monitoring, dust control, noise mitigation, blast monitoring, lighting, inspections, chemical containment, financial assurance, road impacts, and reclamation requirements.

Environmental Quality Board shall establish a silica sand technical assistance team of up to seven members by October 1, 2013, to provide local governments with assistance on ordinance development, environmental review, permitting, and monitoring.

Pollution Control Agency shall adopt rules on particulate emissions from silica sand mines considering Wisconsin standards, Natural Resources Commissioner shall adopt reclamation rules, and Department of Health shall adopt air quality health advisory by January 1, 2014.

Environmental Quality Board shall create and maintain a library of approved local government ordinances and permits regulating silica sand projects by October 1, 2013, with appropriations provided for implementation.