Wisconsin has released for public comment two new draft permits on non-metallic mining. Under the Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES), the draft permits are intended to eliminate significant environmental impacts of storm water and/or wastewater discharges associated with industrial sand mining and other nonmetallic mining operations or facilities.
The department has also developed the scope for a plan to investigate potential groundwater issues associated with industrial sand mining, specifically whether sand mining operations could potentially impact groundwater and whether additional preventative or monitoring measures are warranted. The draft permits and groundwater study are in addition to a strategic analysis of industrial sand mining the department is developing to assess the environmental and socio-economic information related to the sand mining in Wisconsin.
Information about the strategic analysis is available on the Department of Natural Resources’ website.
