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S.F. No. 1018 - Silica Sand Mining Model Standards and Technical Assistance (Second Engrossment)
 
Author: Senator Matt Schmit
 
Prepared By: Alexis C. Stangl, Senate Counsel (651/296-4397)
 
Date: March 22, 2013



 

S.F. No. 1018 provides for the development of model standards and criteria for mining, processing, and transporting silica sand.  The bill also requires the establishment of a silica sand technical assistance team to provide assistance to local governments.  A library for local government ordinances and permits is also established to assist local governments.

Section 1 provides for the development of silica sand mining model standards and criteria.

Subdivision 1 provides definitions.

Subdivision 2 requires the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to develop model standards and criteria for mining, processing, and transporting silica sand by October 1, 2013. Local governments must be consulted. The standards and criteria must address the 14 specified issues.

Subdivision 3 requires the EQB to assemble a silica sand technical assistance team by October 1, 2013.  The team must provide assistance to local governments with ordinance development, zoning, environmental review and permitting, monitoring and other issues. The team cannot charge for this service.  The team is comprised of up to 7 members from the Department of Natural Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Department of Health, the Department of Transportation, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Subdivision 4 provides that when the technical assistance team assembles findings or makes recommendations related to a proposed silica sand project, the local government that requested the findings or recommendations must consider the findings or recommendations in its approval or denial of the project.

Section 2 requires the Environmental Quality Board to establish and maintain an online library on local government ordinances and permits for reference by local governments. The library must be established by October 1, 2013.

Section 3 requires rulemaking. The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency must adopt rules pertaining to the control of particulate emissions from silica sand mines. The commissioner of natural resources must adopt rule pertaining to the reclamation of silica sand mines. The Department of Health must adopt an air quality health advisory for silica sand by January 1, 2014.

Section 4 provides for appropriations to the Pollution Control Agency and to the Department of Natural Resources for purposes of this bill.

Section 5 provides the bill is effective the day following final enactment.

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