eaw-draft to planning 10-29-12

7/30/2019 EAW-Draft to Planning 10-29-12

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pear104TDD(forhearingandspeechimpairedonly):6512825332

Printedonrecycledpapercontaining30%fibersfrompaperrecycledbyconsumers

ENVIRONMENTALASSESSMENTWORKSHEETNotetopreparers:AnelectronicversionofthisEnvironmentalAssessmentWorksheet(EAW)formandafact

sheetonpreparingoneareavailableattheMinnesotaPollutionControlAgency(MPCA)websiteat

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/programs/envr_p.html.Abooklet,EAWGuidelines,isalsoavailableatthe

MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard(EQB)websiteathttp://www.eqb.state.mn.us/review.html orbycalling

651296

6300.

The

EAW

provides

information

about

aproject

that

may

have

the

potential

for

significant

environmentaleffects.TheEAWispreparedbytheResponsibleGovernmentalUnit(RGU)oritsagentsto

determinewhetheranEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)shouldbeprepared.Theprojectproposermust

supplyanyreasonablyaccessibledataforbutshouldnotcompletethefinalworksheet.Ifacomplete

answerdoesnotfitinthespaceallotted,attachadditionalsheetsasnecessary.Thecompletequestionaswell

astheanswermustbeincludediftheEAWispreparedelectronically.

Notetoreviewers:TheEnvironmentalAssessmentWorksheet(EAW)providesinformationaboutaproject

thatmayhavethepotentialforsignificantenvironmentaleffects.ThisEAWwaspreparedbytheMinnesota

PollutionControlAgency(MPCA),actingastheResponsibleGovernmentalUnit(RGU),todeterminewhether

anEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)shouldbeprepared.Theprojectproposersuppliedreasonably

accessibledatafor,butdidnotcompletethefinalworksheet.CommentsontheEAWmustbesubmittedtothe

MPCA

during

the

30

day

comment

period

which

begins

with

notice

of

the

availability

of

the

EAW

in

the

MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard(EQB)EQBMonitor.CommentsontheEAWshouldaddressthe

accuracyandcompletenessofinformation,potentialimpactsthatarereasonablyexpectedtooccurthat

warrantfurtherinvestigation,andtheneedforanEIS.AcopyoftheEAWmaybeobtainedfromtheMPCAby

calling6517572101.AnelectronicversionofthecompletedEAWisavailableattheMPCAwebsiteat

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html#openeaw.

1. ProjectTitle: MinnesotaProppant,LLCsilicasandexcavation,transportation,processingandexport

2. Proposer: MinnesotaProppant,LLC 3. RGU: WinonaCountyPlanningDepartment

ContactPerson JenniferDessner ContactPerson JasonGilman,AICP

andTitle PublicRelationsDirector andTitle PlanningandEnvironmentalServices

Director

Address 1141WhitewaterAve Address 177MainStreet

St.Charles,MN55972 Winona,Minnesota 55987

Phone 5079517434 Phone 5074576337

Fax Fax 5074549378

Email [email protected] Email [email protected]

4.

Reasonfor

EAW

Preparation:

EIS

Scoping

Mandatory

EAW X

Citizen

Petition

RGU

Discretion

Proposer

Volunteered

IfEAWorEISismandatorygiveEQBrulecategorysubpartnumberandname:

4410.4300Subpart12BNonmetallicMineralMininglocalgovernmentunit

4410.4300Subpart14A2Industrial,CommercialandInstitutionalFacilitieslocalgovernmentunit

4410.4300Subpart36LandUseConversionlocalgovernmentunit


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EnvironmentalAssessment

,MN 2 Worksheet

5. ProjectLocation: County Winona City/Twp CityofSt.Charles/St.Charles

Twp&SaratogaTwp

Processing and Trans-Load Facility

Part of SE Section 21, Twp 106N, Range 10 WestPart of SW Section 22, Twp 106N, Range 10 WestPart of NE Section 28, Twp 106N, Range 10 West

Part of NW , Section 27, Twp 106N, Range 10 WestSlurry Pipeline Route

Parts of Sections 27 and 34 of Twp 106N, Range 10 West and Parts of Sections 3, 10, 14, 15 and 23 ofTwp 105N, Range 10 West.

Slurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry

Parts of SW of Section 14, Twp 105N, Range 10 WestParts of NW of Section 23, Twp 105N, Range 10 West

GPS Coordinate: Processing and Trans-Load Facility N 920110 W 435745Slurry Pipeline Route (midpoint) N 920015 W 435450Slurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry N 915945 W 435320

TaxParcel

Numbers

Processing and Trans-Load Facility 13.000.157013.000.223013.000.218013.000.171013.000.1720

Slurry Pipeline Route Not ApplicableSlurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry 14.000.1540

14.000 .090014.000.1541

Tables,Figures,andAppendicesattachedtotheEAW: Figure General Site Location Map Figure United States Geological Survey Figure Hydrology Map Slurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry Figure Hydrology Map Processing and Trans-Load Facility Figure NHIS data Figure Environmental Benefits Index map Figure Land Cover Types Slurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry Figure Land Cover Types Processing and Trans-Load Facility

Figure 1941 Aerial Photo Slurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry Figure 1941 Aerial Photo Processing and Trans-Load Facility Figure 1927 Parcel Map Slurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry Figure 1927 Parcel Map Processing and Trans-Load Facility Figure County Well Index Map Slurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry Figure County Well List Slurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry Figure County Well Index Map Processing and Trans-Load Facility Figure County Well List Processing and Trans-Load Facility


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,MN 3 Worksheet

Figure Protected Waters Map Figure Bedrock Geology Figure Depth to any Restrictive Layer Figure Karst Inventory Map Figure Soil Map Slurry Injection Station/Campbell Quarry Figure Soil Map Processing and Trans-Load Facility Figure EPA National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) Quantifier

Figure: Silica sand sources in close proximity to Slurry Injection Station Figure - State Historical Preservation Office Report Figure - Custom Soil Resource Report Map Crop Productivity Index Figure St. Charles - Sub Areas Proposed Land Use Figure Winona County Land Use Plan Figure Archaeological Assessment Figure Draft Operation and Reclamation Plan for Campbell Quarry

6. Description:a.

Provide

aproject

summary

of

50

words

or

less

to

be

published

in

the

EQBMonitor.

Combination of non-metallic mineral mining to extract silica sand for manufacturing and theoil/gas industries, a slurry injection station and six mile long hydro-transport buried pipeline forthe mineral, an industrial sand processing facility, a rail transport trans-load facility, and inlinewater treatment and recycling system for the hydro-transport facilities.

b. Giveacompletedescriptionoftheproposedprojectandrelatednewconstruction.Attachadditional

sheetsasnecessary.Emphasizeconstruction,operationmethodsandfeaturesthatwillcause

physicalmanipulationoftheenvironmentorwillproducewastes.Includemodificationstoexisting

equipmentorindustrialprocessesandsignificantdemolition,removalorremodelingofexisting

structures.

Indicate

the

timing

and

duration

of

construction

activities.

The bedrock of southeastern Minnesota in close proximity to the project consist of stratas of St.Peter and Jordan sandstone. The close proximity of these formations to the surface allows foreconomical extraction. The grains of these sandstones are highly coveted in the oil and naturalgas industries as a proppant used in the hydraulic fracturing process used to extract the oil andnatural gas. New developments in directional boring in combination with improvements inhydraulic fracturing technologies has greatly increased the volume of gas and oil that can beextracted from shale formations within the United States. These advancements have madedrilling and extraction more productive and economical which has increased the market demandfor silica sand proppants.

Silica sand mining and processing in Southeastern Minnesota

Silica sand has been mined in southeastern Minnesota for generations. Until recently, it wasonly done on small scales in quarries of 1 to 10 acres and material was usually trucked no furtherthan 20 miles from the source. When interest in mining and processing local silica sand sourceswas first brought to light, officials within Winona County and surrounding communities actedproactively and placed moratoriums on all silica sand mine proposals. After studying the pros


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,MN 4 Worksheet

and cons and implementing a road use agreement policy, Winona County lifted their moratoriumwhich allowed for this project to proceed. At this time, three EAWs and Conditional UsePermits for mineral extraction are currently under consideration within Winona County.

Creation of Minnesota Proppant, LLC (project proposer)

Within the last two years, two separate groups of local investors started exploring the economicsof mining and processing the highly coveted product. One group was focused on the mining

aspects and the other group on processing the material at a location with rail road access which ispreferred for shipping of processed products. Ultimately, the mining group bought the land theprocessing group had procured and project proposer Minnesota Proppant, LLC was created.This EAW covers the proposal Minnesota Proppant, LLC has outlined to create an integrallyplanned and designed mining, transportation and processing facility within and south of the cityof St. Charles, Minnesota.

Based on early meetings with concerned citizens and local government officials, the followinggeneral concerns with trucking and processing plans were raised:

Truck trafficNoise and dustImpact on local Amish CommunitiesUse of polyacrylamides in water clarification systemsReclamation of quarries

A major point of contention with concerned neighbors has been due to the proposed increase intruck traffic hauling material to and from the quarries, processing facilities and final transportstations which are predominantly rail loading stations located along the Mississippi River. Thisproject proposes two features which will reduce truck traffic.

The first truck traffic reduction is the fixed processing facility which is located adjacent to a

railroad line. Construction of a spur line will allow for loading of the processed material to beexported from the area without requiring additional truck traffic. The second is a slurry pipewhich will transfer the raw silica sand from a site closest to the quarries to the processingfacility. This greatly reduces the amount of truck traffic that will travel through the City ofSt.Charles or along highways between the quarries and the processing facility.

The processing of the raw silica sand at a fixed location is more environmentally friendly andeconomically feasible than mobile facilities. Having a fixed location allows for more controlover the material, waste and water use. It allows for more oversight to control potential pollutionor nuisances that neighbors have expressed as concerns.

Construction for this project will include:A spur rail line off the existing CP railroad along the north property line for Trans-Loading

processed material.

A Slurry Injection Station and 6 mile long hydro-transportation pipeline for slurryconveyance of raw material from mine to processing facility

An industrial silica sand processing facility including a hydro-separator, drying facilities,screeners and storage silos


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,MN 5 Worksheet

A second Slurry Injection Station and parallel hydro-transportation slurry return line forunsuitable material and water conveying from the processing facility back to the mine

A water clarifying system which will remove silt and clays so that the water used in theslurry operation can be recycled without large settlement ponds

Campbell Quarry a source of sand material centrally located to other nearby sourcesImprovements to local roads and construction of new local roads accessing the processing

facility and future industrial zoned lots

In addition to proppants, silica sand is also extensively used in industrial processing, glassmaking, foundry molds, optical fibers, sand blasting, water purification/filtration, architecturaland engineered coatings, as engineered fill and locally, due to it being naturally void of organicmatter and presenting less opportunity for bacterial growth, as bedding for dairy cows.Additional land at the processing facility will be developed for industrial uses which may lendthemselves to processing of silica sand for any of the uses listed above. Depending on the use,future environmental studies may be required to cover aspects outside the scope of this study.

Slurry Injections Station and Slurry Pipeline

A slurry pipe, a long distance hydro-transport system, works by mixing the raw silica sand withwater at a Slurry Injection Station which is then is pumped in large diameter pipes to theprocessing facility. The pipes are buried underground where they are protected from exposure tothe elements and hidden from view. Along the route, booster pumps will be installed which willkeep the sand and water mixture moving. The spacing for these booster pumps is based on aformula factoring in elevation, distance and other friction loses. On average, they will be spacedevery 1.5 miles.

Processing Facility

At the processing facility, the slurry mixture will be run through a hydro-sizer which will

separate particles based on their hindered settling rate differential. This will remove many of thefines and impurities that are considered waste materials. The materials from the hydro-sizer arestill a slurry mixture of sand and water. The waste material will be conveyed to an injectionstation where it will be returned to the Slurry Injection Station. The separated material of valueis then conveyed to a dewatering screen. This is a steeply inclined and mechanized screensurface which achieves rapid drainage. This process converts the slurry to sand with 10% and15% moisture content.

At this point, the sand still has too high of a moisture content to be dried economically. Thesand will be placed in a building and further draining through gravity will lower the sand pile tobetween 4% and 5% moisture content. Once the achieved moisture content is reached, the

material is ready to be sent to the dryer and final sizing.

(NOT COMPLETE)

Drying

Screening

Baghouse

Sorting

Storage


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,MN 6 Worksheet

Trans-Load Facility and Spur Rail Line

(NOT COMPLETE)

Recycling of Hydro-Transportation and Processing Water

Married to the dewatering process at both the processing plant and the slurry injection station arethe collection and recycling of the water used in hydro-transport and hydro-sizing. Post hydro-sizing is the first opening in the loop. The waste slurry, water collected off the dewatering

screen and water collected off the piles are all conveyed to the onsite slurry injection stationwhere the water and waste sand is returned to the Slurry Injection Station. When the wasteslurry outlets, it will pass over a dewatering screen and the sand will be stockpiled to allow foradditional gravity dewatering before being transported for use in mine reclamation projects. Thewater from the dewatering screen and the stockpile drain will be processing in the clarifierbefore being reintroduced to the Slurry Injection Station which will continue the cycle.

The Clarifier will have similarities to a wastewater treatment plant with the exception that theminerals and water being processed only contains trace if any organics. Not having to treatorganics means treatment for pathogens or BOD are not required. This simplifies the system tobeing a process to remove impurities so that the recycled water can be reintroduced into the

hydro-transportation portion of the process. The material that will be processed is also very lowin clay content so the suspension of solids is minimal compared to systems in western Wisconsinwhich process sand with up to 15% clay content. This allows for a number of pretreatmentoptions and clarifiers which can be implemented in series for best results.

There are many systems and mechanisms that may be used in the clarification process such ascentrifuges and belt filter presses. The system proposed for this project is a treatment trainincluding a dewatering screen, a Recessed Plate Frame Filter Press and finally a tank clarifier:

1. The slurry material returning from the processing facility is run across a dewateringscreen.

2. The dewatered waste material is then run across mechanical mediums of the RecessedPlate Frame Filter Press to remove additional moisture before the material is conveyed toa stockpile to be transported for reclamation efforts.

3. Effluent from the dewatering screen and filter press are directed to a tank clarifier whichmay use polymer components to flocculate solids. The solids that drop out are alsoconveyed to the waste material stockpile.

4. Treated water is incorporated back into the Slurry Injection Station to continue the cycle.Concerns have been raised that polyacrylamide may contaminate the nerve toxin acrylomide ormay be de-polymerized to form acrylomide. The Environmental Protection Agency hasresearched these links and found that proper use of polyacrylamide flocculants is safe. Thisaspect is further described in Item 18 Water Quality Waste Water.

The water clarification and recycling process could be performed with the use of large settlingponds. Clarifiers as proposed are much more expensive at initial startup but the benefits asopposed to settling ponds are:

alleviate the lag time required for treatment using settling pondsbetter quality control of water being reintroduced to the hydro-transport system


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,MN 7 Worksheet

minimizing the footprint of the project ( pond take up large areas)remove the potential for breaching of dikes or leaks through pond liner membraneselimination of point source surface and ground water pollutionelimination of pond maintenance costs

Campbell Quarry

New ConstructionNew construction will include grading of berms, ditches, a permanent storm water treatmentpond stockpiles, access roads and staging areas which can be constructed from onsite materialsand finished with topsoil that will be salvaged onsite. Permanent structures will include the theinfrastructure for the Slurry Injection Station equipment, Clarifier and water supply which willinclude drilling for a new waters supply well. The majority of this equipment will be housedinside roofed structures. Other infrastructure which may not be housed under roof are theconveyors for transport of waste and raw sand as well as any loading/loading equipment orbunkers. Other new construction may include scales, parking for trucks, equipment andemployees. An onsite septic system will be installed separate from the clarifier system. Theonsite septic system will be strictly for treatment of employee bathroom and tap water wasteswhich will be similar to an office/shop use.

The access roads within the property and around the loading/unloading area will be constructedto a width of 28 feet to support two-lane passage of haul trucks. The road bed will beconstructed of materials from on-site along with a crushed aggregate driving course. The drivefrom County Road 6 to the loading/unloading areas will have a dust free surface of eitherbituminous or concrete.

Operations Methods - Mining Sequence

Mining will begin at the southeast end of the sand hill formation and proceed to the northwest.The initial phase will include stripping and placement of overburden to construct the buildingpads for the Slurry Injector Station, loading/unloading areas, access routes and permanent stormwater treatment pond . The subsequent phase of mining will work northwesterly to excavate thematerials to the quarry boundary. Reclamation will create a level area south of the level padconstructed in phase one. Excavation will not intercept the water table. There will be nodewatering at the site.

The existing access to the site is from County Road 6 and accesses an existing privately ownedand operated grain bin setup. This access will be improved based on requirements of the WinonaCounty Highway Engineer. Improvements are anticipated to include a right turn lane into the

site and dust free surfacing. The current sight distance at the access intersection with CR 6 isgood.

Provided the Slurry Injection Station is operational, material mined from the quarry will notrequire hauling on public roads. It is anticipated that sand will be screened of large chunks anddebris and hauled directly to the raw sand stockpile for injection. Other trucks from regionalquarries will be hauling material to the site to provide raw material to be transported in the slurrypipline. These trucks will have haul route occuring along County, State and Federal Highway


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,MN 8 Worksheet

designated as haul routes that do not affect primary residential streets. At the site, propersignage per MnDOT MUTCD shall be installed near the access. This is to ensure only theapproved access sites are utilized for ingress and egress.

Proposed mining and hauling may take place between 6am and 10 pm CST. Permission from thecounty zoning administrator may be granted for operations beyond these hours to respond topublic or private emergencies or whenever any reasonable or necessary repairs to equipment arerequired to be made. Mining can take place year round but hauling and excavation of materials

are greatly affected when temperatures are below freezing. Hauling is further affected by springroad bans which are established by MnDOT.

Blasting may be necessary to remove the cap rock off the ridge and to loosen well cementedsandstone. If blasting is found to be necessary the owner and operator will retain professionaland licensed blasting contractors who operate in accordance with all federal, state, county andtownship regulations. No explosives will be stored on the site. The blasting contractor willnotify all adjoining neighbors in advance of the blast alerting them to the time and duration ofthe event and vibration monitoring shall be done as necessary at the adjacent homes andstructures within mile of the proposed blast. A 24-hour notification will be given to adjacentproperty owners and local government units. Professional and licensed blasting contractors will

follow standard operating procedures to reduce dust control that includes reducing the size of thecharge, time and sequence of blasts and monitoring the wind speed and direction.

The standard blast operating procedures will include a plan for all blasts providing contactinformation of the blasting contractor and monitoring consultant. The plan will show the landscleared, shot pattern, charges, timing sequence, seismograph locations (standards and practices),safety plan and Certificates of Insurance. Within 5 days of each blasting event, the blastingcontractor will provide a report to the operator and local government unit describing the Pre andPost blast observations within the site and surrounding area and Seismograph findings.

A generalized sequence of operations and methods is:

1. Survey phase limits and areas not to be disturbed.2. Install perimeter silt fence. Construct down slope erosion control measures.3. Remove surface vegetation in the area to be excavated. Large woody material may be

chipped and stockpiled for mulch.4. Strip and stockpile topsoil. Seed the topsoil stockpile to establish vegetation to prevent

erosion. A pasture mix with a nursery crop of oats or rye are acceptable seed mixes.5. Construct any temporary sedimentation basins and their outlets.6. Construction any diversion ditches and berms as shown in the operation and reclamation

plan to direct any stormwater runoff from the current phase of construction to thetemporary sedimentation basins.

7. Remove overburden materials and either stockpile or place in areas where they canpermanently remain as part of the reclamation plan. Stockpile areas shall be placed withinthe mining limits and positioned to aid in the blocking prevailing winds which will aid inprevention of wind erosion. Suitable materials from the overburden will be used for accessroads. Areas downstream of stockpiles must be protected with vegetated berms, wood chipberms, silt fence or other approved BMPs. Watering of stockpiles with a tanker truckmay be necessary to prevent dust and wind erosion. Overburden stockpiles that will


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,MN 9 Worksheet

remain in place longer than 14 days and are susceptible to wind erosion shall be coveredwith topsoil, seed, and mulch.

8. Side slopes of berm, ditches, roads and temporary basins are to be covered with topsoil andseeded to reestablish vegetation.

9. Limestone having marketable value may be excavated, crushed, screened and stockpiled.Unsuitable limestone will be placed with overburden in stockpiles or in reclamation area.Dust mitigation measures for crushing and screening operations may be mitigated at thefeed and discharge points using wet suppression; this may also include conveyors if

utilized. The mined material may be sprayed with water to coat the outer surface beforeloaded for crushing and grinding to prevent dust from becoming liberated and airborne.

10. Course sands are excavated, pulverized, screened to remove aggregate chunks or debristhat may find its way into the product and stockpiled. Dust mitigation measures asdescribed in number 9 may be followed.

11. Fine sands are excavated, pulverized, screened to remove aggregate chunks or debris thatmay find its way into the product and stockpiled. Dust mitigation measures as described innumber 9 may be followed.

12. Material is loaded into trucks and weighed for transport to an offsite transfer facility orprocessing facility.

13. Unsuitable sand, approximately 25% hauled to the offsite processing facility, is hauled

back to the quarry and placed in stockpiles or placed in areas where it can permanentlyremain as part of the reclamation plan. Unsuitable sand is sand that doesnt meet thespecifications of the end user which is based on sieve size. The 25% hauled back to thesite is suitable for fill material to be used in reclamation. Once covered with an averageminimum of 6 of topsoil it shall be seeded and mulched to establish a vegetative cover.

14. After sand material is exhausted from the current phase limits and overburden and wastematerials have been placed and leveled per the reclamation plan, an average minimum of6 of topsoil shall be respread.

15. The site will be seeded and stabilized through revegetation. A pasture mix with a nurserycrop of oats or rye are acceptable seed mixes.

16. When all construction activity is complete in the reclaimed area, temporary diversions

ditches/berms and temporary basins are to be removed. Areas disturbed during removalsshall be seeded and stabilized through revegetation.

17. Final terrain is returned to pasture land, forest or a combination thereof. Due to thepotential lack of adequate topsoil and subsoils, the reclaimed areas are not intended forrow crop cultivation. If during reclamation it is determined that soil conditions are suitablefor future row crop production, the mine operator and owner shall contact the WinonaCounty NRCS/SWCD office for assistance on the proper procedures for returning the siteto row crop production. Factors to be addressed for returning the reclamation area to rowcrop production are soil depth, topsoil depth and color, organic content of soils, nutrientcontent of soil and drainage upstream, within and downstream of reclamation area.

NOTE: Additional activities may be warranted due to site conditions, weather conditions orphasing limitations.

ReclamationAs defined in the Operation and Reclamation Plan, reclamation will take place in phases suchthat disturbed areas are limited to a maximum of 10 acres being open at any one time. Aftersand has been removed to the design elevation, overburden and unsuitable sands will be placed


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,MN 10 Worksheet

in lifts, leveled and compacted. Once this area has reached its final design elevation, an averageminimum of 6 of topsoil from either stockpiles or ongoing stripping will be spread evenly. Thereclaimed area will be seeded with a pasture grade grass mix.

This quarry site was picked for its central location to other silica sand sources. The siting of theSlurry Injection Station and clarifiers will allow for this site to be mined and reclaimed in a veryshort period of time. Depending on speed of construction of the processing facility and slurrypipeline as well as the market for the material, the timeline for mining and reclaiming the site

could be 2 to 5 years. If the site is dormant for an extended period of time, the operator isresponsible for applying the requirements outlined by the Reclamation Plan for site stabilization.A performance bond is required which may be drawn on if the operator does not produce.

Areas that have been reclaimed shall be inspected yearly with a report placed into the SWPPPdocuments. Reclaimed areas that are not stabilized to the conditions outlined in the plan will beaddressed and reinspected until stabilization is complete. All parts of the mine are under aperformance bond as required by Ordinance.

Final UseOnce grass has had an opportunity to become established, which may take more than one

growing season, the reclaimed area may be fenced and pastured or it may be left to nature. Dueto the lack of adequate topsoil and subsoils, the reclaimed areas are not intended to be put intorow crop cultivation. If during reclamation it is determined that soil conditions are suitable forfuture row crop production, the mine operator and owner shall contact the Winona CountyNRCS/SWCD office for assistance on the proper procedures for returning the site to row cropproduction. Factors to be addressed for returning the reclamation area to row crop productionare soil depth, topsoil depth and color, organic content of soils, nutrient content of soil anddrainage upstream, within and downstream of reclamation area.

TRAFFIC SUMMARY TRIPS PER DAY TRUCKS HAULING GMATERIAL TO THESLURRY INJECTION STATION ALTERNATIVE HAULING (ANOTHER SLURRY LINE,

OVERHEAD CONVEYORS, AUGERS)

The development is proposing to generate a total of xx truck trips per day (xx trucks in and xxtrucks out) and 20 employee trips per day (xx in and xx out). This equates to xx truck trips and xemployee trips in the peak hours (xx trucks in and xx trucks out ~ x employee trips in or out)Truck traffic from other mines will travel along CSAH 6.

c. Explaintheprojectpurpose;iftheprojectwillbecarriedoutbyagovernmentalunit,explainthe

needfortheprojectandidentifyitsbeneficiaries.

The purpose of this project is to mine and process high grade industrial silica sand, an important

natural resource used in manufacturing and the oil and gas industry throughout North America.Uses for this sand in manufacturing is as the base product in the production of glass, as anabrasion material, a filter medium, for casting in foundaries and many other uses too extensive tolist here. Many of the silica sand deposits in southeastern Minnesota have the required size andhardness required for the use as frac sand in the oil and natural gas industry. Developing thissandstone resource will provide a ready supply of frac sand to the industry. The mined materialis subject to sales tax which will provide a benefit to the local government unit. Due to local


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,MN 11 Worksheet

concerns with truck traffic initially proposed by the project, the slurry pipeline has beenincorporated to minimize truck traffic between the mines and the processing facility.

From the mine to the processing facility, this project will employ approximately 80 peoplefulltime and many others during phases of construction.

d. Arefuturestagesofthisdevelopmentincludingdevelopmentonanyotherpropertyplannedorlikelyto

happen? Yes No

Ifyes,brieflydescribefuturestages,relationshiptopresentproject,timelineandplansfor

environmentalreview.

The project described herein covers all aspects of mining and processing industrial silica sandfrom clearing the overburden to transporting the raw material, processing it for specific buyersand loading rail cars for shipment via railroad. The development of other property near theprocessing facility and trans-load facility are limited to manufacturers or other sand users whichmay develop existing and proposed commercial/industrial zoned lands within the City ofSt.Charles.

Outside of the City of St. Charles, future stages associated to this development will be mining ofthe silica sand material for the processing facility. The silica sand formation (St.PeterSandstone) that this proposal will extract from extends throughout southeastern Minnesota ingreat quantities. However, only those locations where it is easily accessible are currentlyeconomically feasible. The slurry injection station described in this project is located amongstthe greatest sources of the high grade sand found near the surface in southeastern Minnesota. Itslocation to other potential sand sources was deliberate to allow for phased development of othersand mines.

There have been recent expressed interest in developing silica sand quarries from this sameformation within a mile of this site and at least two quarry applications are pending and subject

to EAWs declarations. It shall be noted that those projects CAN move forward without thisproject. The greatest impact on any mines proposed in close proximity of this project is that thefacilities proposed will reduce the distance, by many miles, that the material will need to betrucked to be processed and shipped by rail. This project has the potential to greatly reducetruck traffic on County, State and Federal roads. Any reduction in truck traffic will reducevehicle emissions for those projects, reduce wear and tear on the local transportation system andincrease vehicle safety by taking those trucks off the road.

No matter how many quarries are approved for mining, there will always be economic andphysical limitations on the amount of sand which can be extracted, transported, processed andshipped from this facility. Those physical limitations and Conditional Use Permit requirements

for all quarries, as outlined within the Winona County zoning ordinance, will allow for organizedplanning, administration and implementation of multiple mine locations.

e. Isthisprojectasubsequentstageofanearlierproject? Yes No

Ifyes,brieflydescribethepastdevelopment,timelineandanypastenvironmentalreview.


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,MN 12 Worksheet

There are existing and operating silica sand mines spread across southeastern Minnesota andthere is are sand processing facilities as near to the project as Winona. This project willcentralize the mining, transportation, processing and shipping in a centralized location whichwill allow greater environmental oversight as well as economic benefit to the communitieswithin and adjacent to this important natural resource.

7. ProjectMagnitudeData

TotalProject

Area

(acres)

or

Length

(miles)

NumberofResidential

Units: Unattached Attached

MaximumUnitsPer

Building:

Commercial/Industrial/InstitutionalBuildingArea(grossfloorspace): totalsquarefeet

Indicateareaofspecificuses(insquarefeet):

Office Manufacturing

Retail OtherIndustrial

Warehouse Institutional

LightIndustrial

Agricultural

OtherCommercial(specify)

Buildingheight Ifover2stories,comparetoheightsofnearbybuildings

RefertoEAWguidelines4410.4300Subpart14withspecialattentiontothenotesregardingfiguringthe

CategoryAversusCategoryBwiththearithmeticcalculationasdefinedundertheResidential

development.

8. Permitsandapprovalsrequired.Listallknownlocal,stateandfederalpermits,approvalsandfinancial

assistancefortheproject.Includemodificationsofanyexistingpermits,governmentalreviewofplans,

andalldirectandindirectformsofpublicfinancialassistanceincludingbondguarantees,TaxIncrement

Financing

and

infrastructure.

Allof

these

final

decisions

are

prohibited

until

all

appropriate

environmentalreviewhasbeencompleted.SeeMinn.R.4410.3100.UnitofGovernment TypeofApplication Status

WinonaCounty ConditionalUsePermit(Mine) Tobeappliedfor

WinonaCounty DrivewayAccess(changeofuse) Tobeappliedfor

WinonaCounty UtilitywithinRightofWayPermit Tobeappliedfor

MnDOT UtilitywithinRightofWayPermit Tobeappliedfor

MPCA NonmetallicMiningandNPDES/SDS Tobeappliedfor

CityofSt.Charles/St.CharlesTwp Annexation/OrderlyAnnexationAgr. Tobeappliedfor

CityofSt.Charles RezoneApplication Tobeappliedfor

MnDept

Health

Watermain

Extension

Permit

To

be

applied

for

MPCA SanitarySewerExtensionPermit Tobeappliedfor

MPCA NPDESGeneralStormwaterPermitfor

ConstructionActivities

Tobeappliedfor

MPCA AirEmissionsPermit Tobeappliedfor

WinonaCounty WetlandNoLossApplication Pending

CityofSt.Charles BuildingPermit Tobeappliedfor

CityofSt.Charles GradingPermit Tobeappliedfor


13/39


,MN 13 Worksheet

9. Landuse.Describecurrentandrecentpastlanduseanddevelopmentonthesiteandonadjacentlands.

Discussprojectcompatibilitywithadjacentandnearbylanduses.Indicatewhetheranypotential

conflictsinvolveenvironmentalmatters.Identifyanypotentialenvironmentalhazardsduetopastsite

uses,suchassoilcontaminationorabandonedstoragetanks,orproximitytonearbyhazardousliquidor

gaspipelines.


Pre-settlement vegetation documented by the MNDNR County Biological Survey maps from the1846-1908 Public Land Survey with Pre-Settlement Vegetation indicated the location of theprocessing and trans-load facility were prairie before the passage of the Homestead Act of 1862where the majority of land in Winona County was plowed for agricultural production. The 1927Atlas Plat Book and Rural Directory of Winona County, Minnesota indicated Section 21, 22,27 and 28 St. Charles Township were divided between 40 160 acre parcels. Historical reviewof the 1940 aerial photographs showed the property was in agricultural land use (See Figure1940 Aerial Photo). During the early agriculture history of the area from 1880 to 1920 thecropland was dominated by small grains (oats, wheat, barley) and hay ground or pastures lands.As farming became mechanized with tractors and combines corn began to dominate the croplandin the 1930s. With the advent of chemical nitrogen fertilizers after 1950 cropland typically had

a hay, oats and corn rotation. Soybeans were introduced to more widespread cultivation in the1970s. Currently the cropland is dominated by a corn and soybean rotation that relies on heavyfertilizer inputs and the use of chemical herbicides.

The site is currently zoned Agricultural/ Resource Conservation within Winona County andSt.Charles Township. It is planned as Light Industrial on the St. Charles Comprehensive Plan.Current and recent land uses are/were agricultural in nature with row crop across the majority ofthe property and a former farmstead located in the northeast corner of the subject property. Thefarmstead is not used for residential purposes as all that remains are two outbuildings and an areawith a few trees which used to be the yard area. There is one small area of woodland (less than 3acres) along the south property line where the topography rises quickly and row crop production

is not feasible. The agricultural uses are the same as adjacent lands. There are a16 residentialand /or agricultural building sites located within a half mile of the property. Previousenvironmental impacts within the agricultural portion of the property would be due to theapplication of fertilizers and pesticides and any erosion that has occurred due to yearlydisturbances to the soil. There is no evidence to indicate that there are or have beenenvironmental hazards due to this use attributable to the site.

This project plan has been based on the property being annexed into the City of St.Charles andbeing zoned Light Industrial. This zoning designation and the proposed facilities are compliantand per the Comprehensive Plan of the City and County. With the size of the property and thedistance the facilities will be from residences, the processing and trans-load facility are

adequately spaced to mitigate the nuisances brought by the change of use of the land. Anychange of use of a property has consequences and development of the site will haveconsequences the similar to as if this property were being converted to single family houses.Other design features such as keeping the raw product and processing facilities under a roof arenot required but will be done to mitigate potential nuisances such as noise and light. Otherbenefits of the facilities as proposed over other options are that the product brought in will be wetand housed under a roof so raw stockpiles will not be susceptible to wind erosion. The hydro-sorting, drying and screening process are all under roof and finished product is housed in silos so


14/39


,MN 14 Worksheet

there are no points in the system to allow rogue dust to escape. Having the system enclosed willalso reduce the amount of light that would be given off by an open air facility.

There are no wetlands on the property. There are some small wetlands located north of theproperty. The project will not cause disturbance of these wetlands. The alignment for utilityextension nor does the site have any known environmental hazards due to past uses.

Slurry Pipeline Route

The alignment is proposed to run from the Campbell Quarry, west along the County Highway 6right of way; thence north along the County Road 123 right of way; continue north along theCounty Highway 35/37 right of way to the Amish communities Shetler school site where thealignment will run cross country until entering the Minnesota Proppants site where it will end forprocessing at the processing facility. Land uses along this alignment are agricultural in nature.The pipe will be buried so that its installation will only be a temporary disturbance for roadwaysand driveways along the alignment. At certain points along the alignment, booster pumps will berequired which will be located just outside the right of way. These locations will be based onease of accessibility and are likely to be located on the edge of agricultural fields.

The Slurry Pipeline will be pumping a mixture of water and sand, neither of which pose anenvironmental hazard should there be a break in the pipeline. The alignment within the right ofway follows areas previously disturbed during road construction activities. Areas that maydeflect from the right of way will be running across row crop agricultural lands. The slurrypipeline will not be running through any existing known contaminated sites. It will crossexisting utility lines which may include an underground gas line. During the design phase of thisproject, those interfaces will be explored and potential conflicts addressed.

The purpose for the Slurry Pipeline is to minimize truck traffic. The corridor that the pipelinewill run was similar to the alignment truck traffic was proposed. Through discussions withconcerned neighbors, many of which are Amish, the truck traffic concern became very evident.

The buried pipeline reduces the chances for conflicts between trucks and the much slowermoving horses and buggies the Amish use for daily transportation.


Pre-settlement vegetation documented by the MNDNR County Biological Survey maps from the1846-1908 Public Land Survey with Pre-Settlement Vegetation indicated the location of theSlurry Injection Station and Campbell Quarry were prairie before the passage of the HomesteadAct of 1862 where the majority of land in Winona County was plowed for agriculturalproduction. The 1927 Atlas Plat Book and Rural Directory of Winona County, Minnesotaindicated Section 14 and 23 of Saratoga Township was divided between 40 160 acre parcels.Historical review of the 1940 and 1991 aerial photographs showed the Campbell Quarry was inagricultural land use (See Figure 1940 Aerial Photo). During the early agriculture history of thearea from 1880 to 1920 the cropland was dominated by small grains (oats, wheat, barley) and hayground or pastures lands. As farming became mechanized with tractors and combines corn beganto dominate the cropland in the 1930s. With the advent of chemical nitrogen fertilizers after1950 cropland typically had a hay, oats and corn rotation. Soybeans were introduced to more


15/39


,MN 15 Worksheet

widespread cultivation in the 1970s. Currently the cropland is dominated by a corn and soybeanrotation that relies on heavy fertilizer inputs and the use of chemical herbicides.

The site is currently zoned Agricultural/ Resource Conservation. Current and recent land usesare/were agricultural in nature with row crop, farmsteads and pasture lands located within theproperty. These are the same uses as adjacent lands. The owner of the land currently has largegrain bins and an elevator setup located east of the proposed Slurry Injection Station. Other thansharing a driveway access, this grain setup will not impact the proposed project and the proposed

project does not affect the grain setup. The Slurry Injection Station and mining operations willbe located within the crop land and pasture lands. Previous environmental impacts within theagricultural portion of the property would be due to the application of fertilizers and pesticidesand any erosion that has occurred. There is no evidence to indicate that there are or have beenenvironmental hazards due to this use attributable to the site.

The mining activities of this project are a temporary use. Once the mining area of the site isreclaimed, the property will again be pasture or a similar low impact use. The Slurry InjectionStation will continue to operate as such for material that may be brought into the site. Thisproject is outside the visibility of any existing residences and is compatible with adjacent andnearby land uses.

10. CoverTypes.Estimatetheacreageofthesitewitheachofthefollowingcovertypesbeforeandafter

development:


Before After Before After

Types18wetlands 0 0 Lawn/landscaping 3.15 43.99

Wooded/forest 4.60 3.55 ImperviousSurfaces 0 158.89

Brush/grassland 0 44 Stormwaterpond 0 4.5

Cropland 309.27 52 Other(RightofWay) 2.45 12.54

TOTAL

319.47

319.47

Slurry Pipeline Route Not Applicable


Before After Before After

Types18wetlands 0 0 Lawn/landscaping 6.9 6.9

Wooded/forest 0 0 ImperviousSurfaces 1.4 4.5

Brush/grassland 46.5 53.7 Stormwaterpond 0 2.2

Cropland 220.8 208.9 Other(RightofWay) 4.6 4.6

TOTAL

280.8

280.8

Ifbeforeandaftertotalsarenotequal,explainwhy.

11. Fish,Wildlife,andEcologicallySensitiveResources.

a. Identifyfishandwildliferesourcesandhabitatsonornearthesiteanddescribehowtheywouldbe

affectedbytheproject.Describeanymeasurestobetakentominimizeoravoidimpacts.


16/39


,MN 16 Worksheet




b. Areanystate(endangeredorthreatened)species,rareplantcommunitiesorothersensitive

ecologicalresourcesonornearthesite? Yes No

Ifyes,describetheresourceandhowitwouldbeaffectedbytheproject.

Describeanymeasuresthatwillbetakentominimizeoravoidadverseimpacts.Providethelicense

agreementnumber(LA___________)and/orDivisionofEcologicalResourcescontactnumber

(ERDB20120383&20120384)fromwhichthedatawereobtainedandattachtheresponseletter

fromtheDNRDivisionofEcologicalResources.Indicateifanyadditionalsurveyworkhasbeen

conductedwithin

the

site

and

describe

the

results.

12. PhysicalImpactsonWaterResources.Willtheprojectinvolvethephysicalorhydrologicalteration

(dredging,filling,streamdiversion,outfallstructure,diking,andimpoundment)ofanysurfacewaters

suchasalake,pond,wetland,streamordrainageditch? Yes No

Ifyes,identifywaterresourceaffectedandgivetheDNRPublicWatersInventory(PWI)

number(s)ifthewaterresourcesaffectedareonthePWI.

Describealternativesconsideredandproposedmitigationmeasurestominimizeimpacts.


There are no surface waters such as lakes, ponds, wetlands, streams, or drainage ditches locatedon the Project site itself. There is a roadside ditch along the west boundary which will remain aswell as a ditch along the north boundary at the railroad. Within the property there are broadswales and waterways in the existing agricultural lands. These flow north to the railroad right ofway where there were wetlands delineated. The project will not disturb these wetlands andonsite storm water treatment facilities are being designed to mimic existing conditions for thequantity of runoff but with improved quality of runoff.


The slurry pipeline will cross intermittent streams but no continuous flows or water bodies. Any

disturbances within the intermittent flowage areas will be stabilized with erosion control blanketand seed or other energy dispersion products as required to return the ground to predistubancequality or better.


There are not surface waters located within the project footprint. There is an intermittent streamwhich will be bridged with a culvert which will lie east of the slurry injection facilities. This


17/39


,MN 17 Worksheet

action essentially slow down the velocity of runoff at this location which will reduce the risk ofdownstream erosion during snowmelt or rainfall events.

13. WaterUse.Willtheprojectinvolveinstallationorabandonmentofanywaterwells,connectiontoor

changesinanypublicwatersupplyorappropriationofanygroundorsurfacewater(including

dewatering)? Yes No

Ifyes,asapplicable,givelocationandpurposeofanynewwells;publicsupplyaffected,changestobe

made,and

water

quantities

to

be

used;

the

source,

duration,

quantity

and

purpose

of

any

appropriations;anduniquewellnumbersandDNRappropriationpermitnumbers,ifknown.Identify

anyexistingandnewwellsonthesitemap.Iftherearenowellsknownonsite,explainmethodology

usedtodetermine.

No new wells are proposed as part of the overall project. No well was located in the northeastcorner of the property during a land survey or search of the County Well Index (see FigureCounty Well Index Map). If a well is discovered, it shall be sealed by a professional perMinnesota Department of Health requirements.

The water supplier for the project will be the City of St. Charles whose water system operates

under DNR appropriations permit number 63-0751. The city of St. Charles currently supplieswater to its constituents by three (3) wells ranging from 667 to 736 feet deep, drawing waterfrom the Multiple and Ironton-Galesville aquifers. The pumping capacity of the wells are ratedfor 1280 gallons per minute. Above ground storage reservoirs provide 1 million gallons ofcapacity. The system is permitted and operated in accordance with current MinnesotaDepartment of Health requirements as a public water supply. The system currently providesdomestic water to 3725 residents plus businesses (2010 census). Daily water use in 2006averaged 442,000 gallons per day with a peak day demand of 600,000 gallons. After the fire thatdestroyed Northstar Foods in April of 2009, these figures dropped to a 2011 average of 224,657gallons per day with a peak day demand of 393,000 gallons. This is a decrease of over 200,000gallons per day.

Development of the project requires an expansion to this municipal water distribution system.The alignment for this pipeline is approximately three quarters of a mile across private land forwhich a public utility easement has been procured. Once inside the project area, the waterlinewill generally be run west to east in a location established to allow for future connections. Toensure uninterrupted service, a second line will be extended to the property which will run alonga route approximately one mile long. The water distribution pipes lines within the City ofSt.Charles are currently estimated to cost approximately $1.3 million. It will be possible toexpand the planned water system to provide public supply to other areas if further annexationsare requested from property owners.

Processing Facility, Slurry Pipeline Route & Slurry Injection Station

The hydro-transport system, hydro-separators, clarifier, slurry pipeline and slurry injectionsystems are essentially a closed loop system where water is recycled at both end of the project.The major loss in this system is water which is still in the sand when it is sent to the dryer. Onaverage, hydro-separated sand will have 4% moisture when it reaches the dryer. Theevaporation of this water must be replenished which is the largest operations draw off the publicwater distribution system. Based on drying 600 tons of material per hour at 4% moisture and 1%


18/39


,MN 18 Worksheet

loss off stockpiles attributed to evaporation, the peak water replenishment rate calculates to 120gallons per minute. If the facility were able to operate at peak production year round, the waterusage would equate to 172,800 gallons per day, and 63.1 million gallons per year. As notedabove, the daily average use has dropped by over 200,000 gallons per day for the City of St.Charles since the loss of Northstar Foods.

The slurry pipeline will be fed by water supplied by the City of St.Charles at the processingfacility. A water supply line will be run parallel to the slurry lines. The pressure of the water

will be maintained with booster pumps as they are needed along the route. This water supplyline is required to add water to the slurry pipeline at the hydro-transport booster pumps stationedalong the alignment. The supply line will end at the Slurry Injection Station and does not requirelooping.

The Slurry Injection System will be supplied by water treated through the clarifier andsupplemented by water from the supply line described above. During initial start up, the systemis calculated to require 2 million gallons of water to fill the pipelines. The initial filling of thelines will be coordinated with the City of St. Charles public works staff to ensure there are nopressure losses or drop in storage capacity for city services or fire protection.

A water clarification system will be installed which will allow for recycling of the wash andslurry water. The water treated in the clarifier is not palatable water which can be brought backinto the City supply. However, recycling wash water will greatly reduce the amount of make upwater required to be brought into the system. The clarifier system is further described underItem 18 Water Quality Waste water.

Trans-load Facility & Campbell Quarry

The rail line spur and quarry will not have water service lines plumbed to them. Any waterrequired for their operations will be drawn from locations at the processing plant or slurryinjection station.

Summary of anticipated peak water uses:

Replenishment of evaporated water: 172,800 gallons/day60 employees at processing plant: 1050 gallons/day10 employees at mine/slurry injection station 175 gallons/dayTotal anticipated average daily water use 174,025 gallons/dayIndustrial lots to be developed in the future Unknown

After the Northstar Foods fire, the average daily water use for the City of St.Charles dropped byover 200,000 gallons per day. This project proposed to use 7/8 of the water previously used on adaily basis. If proposed uses in the future industrial lots or other new development within theCity create draws that affect the City water supply, the City will has sufficient well capacity toaccommodate additional users. Additional storage for fire flow may be required in the future butat this time, the Citys water supply and storage infrastructure is satisfactory to handle thisproject.

Northstar Foods was by far the largest water user and the loss of their revenues from utilities hasbeen an economic hardship ever since the fire. The sale of water will greatly improve the coffers


19/39


,MN 19 Worksheet

of the City of St.Charles as they have been without this income source since 2009. The City willnot be required to expand their existing system to handle the project which would have triggereda mandatory EAW under Minnesota Rule 4410.4300 Subpart 24 for Water Appropriations andImpoundments.

14. Waterrelatedlandusemanagementdistricts.Doesanypartoftheprojectinvolveashorelandzoning

district,adelineated100yearfloodplain,orastateorfederallydesignatedwildorscenicriverlanduse

district? Yes No

Ifyes,identifythedistrictanddiscussprojectcompatibilitywithdistrictlanduserestrictions.




15. WaterSurfaceUse.Willtheprojectchangethenumberortypeofwatercraftonanywaterbody?

Yes

No

Ifyes,indicatethecurrentandprojectedwatercraftusageanddiscussanypotentialovercrowdingor

conflictswithotheruses.

16. ErosionandSedimentation.Givetheacreagetobegradedorexcavatedandthecubicyardsofsoil

tobemoved: See

below

acres; See

below

cubicyards.Describeanysteepslopesorhighly

erodiblesoilsandidentifythemonthesitemap.Describeanyerosionandsedimentationcontrol

measurestobeusedduringandafterprojectconstruction.

Processing and Transload Facility 287.5 acres disturbed - 950,000 CYCampbell Quarry 54.9 acres disturbed 2.2 Million CY


Soil# SoilNameSlope

%

Hydrologic

GroupKf

T

factor

11D Sogn silt loam 6 to 30 D 0.28 1

79B Billett fine sandy loam 1 to 6 A 0.24 3

81B Boone loamy fine sand 2 to 6 A 0.24 381C Boone loamy fine sand 6 to 15 A 0.24 3

299B Rockton silt loam 1 to 6 C 0.28 2

301A Lindstrom silt loam 1 to 3 B 0.32 5

1936 Hoopeston sandy loam, bedrock substratum 0 to 2 A/D 0.10 4

1937 Lawler loam, bedrock substratum 0 to 2 B/D 0.20 4

1951 Flagler sandy loam, bedrock substratum 0 to 2 A 0.10 3


20/39


,MN 20 Worksheet

A

1951B Flagler sandy loam, bedrock substratum 2 to 6 B 0.10 3

1953 Marshan silt loam, loamy substratum 0to2 B/D 0.28 5

1954B Spinks loamy fine sand, bedrock substratum 1to6 A 0.15 4

1955A Waukeeloam,bedrocksubstratum 0to2 B 0.24 4

1955B Waukeeloam,bedrocksubstratum 2to6 D 0.24 4

Soil Erosion Factors are soil properties and interpretations used in evaluating the soil for potential erosion. SoilErosion Factors: Kf whole soil on a rock free basis, Tf = wind erodibility group and wind erodibility index. CER Crop Equivalency Rating; Slope in percent

The four hydrologic soil groups (HSGs) are described as:Group ASoils in this group have low runoff potential when thoroughly wet. Water is transmitted freely through

the soil. GroupA soils typically have less than 10 percent clay and more than 90 percent sand or gravel and havegravel or sand textures. Some soils having loamy sand, sandy loam, loam or silt loam textures may be placed in this

group if they are well aggregated, of low bulk density, or contain greater than 35 percent rock fragments.

The limits on the diagnostic physical characteristics ofgroupAare as follows. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of

all soil layers exceeds 40.0 micrometers per second (5.67 inches per hour). The depth to any water impermeable layer

is greater than 50 centimeters [20 inches]. The depth to the water table is greater than 60 centimeters [24 inches]. Soils

that are deeper than 100 centimeters [40 inches] to awater impermeable layer are in groupA ifthe saturated

hydraulic conductivity ofall soil layers within 100 centimeters [40 inches] ofthe surface exceeds 10 micrometers per

second (1.42 inches per hour).

Group BSoils in this group have moderately low runoff potential when thoroughly wet. Water transmission

throughthe soil is unimpeded. Group B soils typically have between 10 percent and 20 percent clay and 50 percent to

90 percent sand and have loamy sand or sandy loam textures. Some soils having loam, silt loam, silt, or sandy clay

loam textures may be placed in this group ifthey are well aggregated, of low bulk density, or contain greater than 35

percent rock fragments.

The limits on the diagnostic physical characteristics ofgroup B are as follows. The saturated hydraulic conductivityin the least transmissive layer between the surface and 50 centimeters [20 inches] ranges from 10.0 micrometers

per second (1.42 inches per hour) to 40.0 micrometers per second (5.67 inches per hour). The depth to any water

impermeable layer is greater than 50 centimeters [20 inches]. The depth to the water table is greater than 60centimeters [24inches]. Soils that are deeper than 100 centimeters [40 inches] to awater impermeable layer or

water table are in group B ifthe saturated hydraulic conductivity ofall soil layers within 100 centimeters [40 inches]

ofthe surface exceeds 4.0 micrometers per second (0.57 inches per hour) but is less than 10.0 micrometers per

second (1.42 inches per hour).

Group CSoils in this group have moderately high runoff potential when thoroughly wet. Water transmis- sionthroughthe soil is somewhat restricted. Group C soils typically have between 20 percent and 40 percent clay and less

than 50 percent sand and have loam, silt loam, sandy clay loam, clay loam, and silty clay loam textures. Some soilshaving clay, silty clay, or sandy clay textures may be placed in this group ifthey are well aggregated, of low bulk

density, or contain greater than 35 percent rock fragments.

The limits on the diagnostic physical characteristics ofgroup C are as follows. The saturated hydraulic conductivity

in the least transmissive layer between the surface and 50 centimeters [20 inches] is between 1.0 micrometers persecond (0.14 inches per hour) and 10.0 micrometers per second (1.42 inches per hour). The depth to any water

impermeable layer is greater than 50 centimeters [20 inches]. The depth to the water table is greater than 60

centimeters [24inches]. Soils that are deeper than 100 centimeters [40 inches] to a restriction or water table are in

group C ifthe saturated hydraulic conductivity ofall soil layers within 100 centimeters [40 inches] ofthe surface

exceeds 0.40 micrometers per second (0.06 inches per hour) but is less than 4.0 micrometers per second (0.57 inchesper hour).


21/39


,MN 21 Worksheet

Group DSoils in this group have high runoff potential when thoroughly wet. Water movement through the soil is

restricted or very restricted. Group D soils typically have greater than 40 percent clay, less than 50 percent sand, and

have clayey textures. In some areas, they also have high shrink-swell potential. All soils with a depth to awater

impermeable layer less than 50 centimeters [20 inches] and all soils with a water table within 60 centimeters [24

inches] ofthe surface are inthis group, although some may have a dual classification, as described in the next

section, ifthey can be adequately drained.

The limits on the physical diagnostic characteristics ofgroup D are as follows. For soils with a water im- permeablelayer at a depth between 50 centimeters and 100 centimeters [20 and 40 inches], the saturated hydraulic conductivity

in the least transmissive soil layer is less than or equal to 1.0 micrometers per second (0.14 inches per hour). Forsoilsthat are deeper than 100 centimeters [40 inches] to a restriction or water table, the saturated hydraulicconductivity ofall soil layers within 100 centimeters [40 inches] ofthe surface is less than or equal to 0.40micrometers per second (0.06 inches per hour).

Dual hydrologic soil groupsCertain wet soils are placed in group D based solely on the presence of a water table

within 60 centimeters [24 inches] ofthe surface even though the saturated hydraulic conductivity may be favorable

for water transmission. Ifthese soils can be adequately drained, then they are assigned to dual hydrologic soil groups

(A/D, B/D, and C/D) based on their saturated hydraulic conductivity and the water table depth when drained. The first

letter applies to the drained condition and the second to the undrained condition. For the purpose of hydrologicsoil group, adequately drained means that the seasonal high water table is kept at least 60 centimeters [24 inches]

below the surface in a soil where it would be higher in a natural state.

Currently the site consist mainly crop land with an area of grasses and minor trees around aformer farm building site near the northeast corner of the property. According to the NaturalResource Conservation Services Soil Survey for Winona County, there are three predominantsoil types within the boundar: Flagler sandy loam, (with slopes ranging from 0 to 6 percent),Boone loamy fine sand (with slopes ranging from 2 to 15 percent), Hoopeston sandy loam (withslopes ranging from 0 to 2 percent). The existing soils are conducive to rapid infiltrationmeaning there is minimal runoff under normal conditions.

Chapter 9.15 of the Winona County Zoning Ordinance outlines the requirements for Soil Erosionand Sediment Control for the proposed Project. A conservation plan will be developed with theWinona County Soil and Water Conservation District which will adopt Best ManagementPractices to minimize soil erosion. Mass grading of the site will be a temporary activity whichonce the site is graded to the elevations required, final surfacing will be applied and the site willgenerally be stabilized. The final surfacing will be a mix of dust free surfacing (concrete andbituminous), roofs of buildings, green space and the rail road tracks.

An onsite storm water treatment pond is proposed within the site. This is further described inItem 17 Water Quality Surface Water Runoff.

The site will operate under a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) National PollutantDischarge Elimination System (NPDES) permit which will require a Storm Water PollutionPrevention Plan (SWPPP). This SWPPP will be part of the grading and erosion control plan.The focus of the SWPPP is to eliminate or minimize storm water that comes into contract withexposed soils from discharging off the site. This is accomplished by utilizing Best ManagementPractices (BMPs) such as the implementation of temporary sedimentation ponds, permanentstorm water treatment ponds, diversion berms and swales, rock checks, silt fence, hydro-seeding,erosion control blankets and locating temporary stockpiles away from concentrated flows.



22/39


,MN 22 Worksheet

The alignment of the slurry pipeline will cross approximately six miles of mixed soils types. Thepipes will be buried underground in a steel casing. During construction and potentially duringlong term maintenance is the only times the soil will be disturbed in the proximity of thepipeline. Construction plans for the pipeline will include directions for implementation of BestManagement Practices which will address how to stabilize the different soil types encountered.

The installation of the pipeline will operate under a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

(MPCA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit which will require aStorm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). This SWPPP will be part of the constructionplans. The focus of the SWPPP is to eliminate or minimize storm water that comes into contractwith exposed soils from discharging outside the construction zone. This is accomplished byutilizing Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as the rock checks, silt fence, hydro-seedingand erosion control blankets..


Soil# SoilNameSlope

%

Hydrologic

Group

KfT

factor

11D Sognsiltloam 6to30 D 0.28 1

285A PortByronsiltloam 1to3 B 0.32 5

285B PortByronsiltloam 3to6 B 0.32 5

285C PortByronsiltloam 6to12 B 0.32 5

301A Lindstromsiltloam 1to3 B 0.32 5

301C Lindstromsiltloam 6to12 B 0.32 5

301D Lindstromsiltloam 12to20 B 0.32 5

476D Frankvillesiltloam 12to18 C 0.37 2

484D Eyotafinesandyloam 12to20 B 0.20 5

492C

Nassetsilt

loam

6to

12

B

0.37

3

831F SpinksBooneSogncomplex,rocky 15to60

Spinks,rocky A 0.15 4

Boone,rocky B 0.20 3

Sogn,rocky D 0.32 1

898F BellechesterBroadalecomplex,rocky 15to60

Bellechester,rocky A 0.10 4

Brodale,rocky B 0.28 5

Soil Erosion Factors are soil properties and interpretations used in evaluating the soil for potential erosion. SoilErosion Factors: Kf whole soil on a rock free basis, Tf = wind erodibility group and wind erodibility index. CER Crop Equivalency Rating; Slope in percent

Currently the site is a mix of crop land and pasture with some trees. According to the NaturalResource Conservation Services Soil Survey for Winona County, there are four predominant soiltypes within the quarry boundary. Port Byron silt loam (with slopes ranging from 1 to12percent), Lindstrom silt loam (with slopes ranging from 1 to 20 percent), Spinks-Boone-Sogncomplex(with slopes ranging from 15 to 60 percent) and Bellechester-Brodale complex, rocky(with slopes ranging from 15 to 60 percent. The existing soils are conducive to rapid infiltration


23/39


,MN 23 Worksheet

meaning there is minimal runoff under normal conditions.

Chapter 9.15 of the Winona County Zoning Ordinance outlines the requirements for Soil Erosionand Sediment Control for the proposed Project. A conservation plan will be developed with theWinona County Soil and Water Conservation District which will adopt Best ManagementPractices to minimize soil erosion.

At the mine, all of the silt loam soils are susceptible to wind and water erosion if exposed

without protections. The topsoil will be removed from the areas to be mined in stages andretained in berms and stockpiles or will be used for site reclamation. Mining will createadditional exposures of sandstone faces and will create temporary steep slopes at the active face.The location of the active face and associated steep slopes will move as mining progressesthrough the site. Measures to control erosion and sedimentation will be implemented at the site.These measures include:

Conduct Mining in Phases: Stripping will be limited to the portion of the site which can bemined in one or two mining seasons, thereby minimizing exposure to large open areas, athigher elevations, throughout the duration of the mining operation.

Stripping will be stockpiled or shaped into perimeter berms or used immediately in ongoingsite reclamation activities. Materials stored in perimeter berms will be used in final sitereclamation.

Stockpile areas shall be placed within the mining limits and positioned to aid in theblocking prevailing winds which will aid in prevention of wind erosion. Suitablematerials from the overburden will be used for access roads. Areas downstream ofstockpiles must be protected with vegetated berms, wood chip berms, silt fence or otherapproved BMPs. Watering of stockpiles with a tanker truck may be necessary to preventdust and wind erosion. Overburden stockpiles that will remain in place longer than 14days and are susceptible to wind erosion shall be covered with topsoil, seed, and mulch.

Vegetation will be established on the top and outer slope of all berms to minimize erosionand potential for off site sedimentation. These areas will be seeded with MnDOTs seedmixture 340 (native seed mixture for Sandy/Dry areas mid height) at an application rateequivalent to MnDOT Standard Spec. 2575. Berms will be seeded and mulched within 7days of completion of shaping. Vegetation will be inspected to insure adequateestablishment and coverage. Areas that are not properly becoming established withvegetation will be reseeded and may require additional additives such as compost manureor with organic fertilizers and crop nutrients to establish vegetation.

Site runoff from active mining areas will be directed internally with diversion berms andditches to temporary sedimentation basins. Temporary sedimentation basins may beearthen structures located on the quarry limits during early phases of construction andlocated at low points within the floor of the quarry during later phases. Runoff willcollect in the low areas and infiltrate into the underlying sandy soils.

The site will operate under a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) National PollutantDischarge Elimination System (NPDES) permit which will require a Storm Water PollutionPrevention Plan (SWPPP). This SWPPP is part of the Operation and Reclamation plan. Thefocus of the SWPPP is to eliminate or minimize storm water that comes into contract withaggregate stockpiles or exposed soils from discharging off the site. This is accomplished byutilizing Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as the temporary sedimentation pond,diversion berms and swales, rock checks, silt fence, erosion control blankets, locating stockpiles


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,MN 24 Worksheet

away from concentrated flows, the recessing of the mine below adjacent undisturbed lands, andthe directing of storm water to internally low areas on the site.

Reclamation will be ongoing once the process begins, thereby limiting the number of open acresat any given time.

Near the completion of mining, any sandstone slopes that are to remain exposed will be shapedto not exceed 1 foot horizontal to 2 feet vertical. Areas where overburden has been placed shall

not exceed 4 foot horizontal to 1 foot vertical. The leveled area will vary in slope from 0.5% to2% and may be terraced to balance the final reclamation process.

All reclaimed areas, other than the exposed sandstone face, will be covered with topsoil to aquality consistent with the current site and surrounding area (spread salvaged topsoil). Finalseeding will be a pasture grass mix as sold at local agribusinesses. The quality of the topsoilplaced shall be analyzed to determine if and how much fertilizer may be needed to support theyoung grass. Once grass has had an opportunity to become established, which may take morethan one growing season, the reclaimed area may be fenced and pastured or it may be left tonature. Due to the lack of adequate topsoil and subsoils, the reclaimed areas are not intended tobe put into row crop cultivation. The reclaimed areas would be conducive to some agricultural

development through forestry. The final use will be determined by the property owner.

All temporary erosion and sediment control materials will be properly disposed of within 30days after final site stabilization is achieved or after the temporary measures are no longerneeded.During construction of the site, Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as silt fence anddiversion berms will be put into place to protect the steep slopes so that water flowing acrossthem does not cause erosion. To protect steep slopes where there are concentrated flows, it maybe necessary to collect and pipe the stormwater water to the stormwater treatment basins locatedbelow the steep slopes. Other BMPs throughout the site will include: seeding and mulchingdisturbed areas, erosion control blanket on erosion prone slopes, silt fence, rock checks and

temporary sedimentation basins.

Post construction erosion and sediment control measures will include street sweeping andperiodic maintenance of temporary and permanent stormwater treatment basins. These basinsare described in Item 17.

17. WaterQualitySurfacewaterRunoff.

a. Comparethequantityandqualityofsiterunoffbeforeandaftertheproject.Describepermanent

controlstomanageortreatrunoff.Describeanystormwaterpollutionpreventionplans.




b. Identifyroutesandreceivingwaterbodiesforrunofffromthesite;includemajordownstream


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,MN 25 Worksheet

waterbodiesaswellastheimmediatereceivingwaters.Estimateimpactrunoffonthequalityof

receivingwaters.




18. WaterQualityWastewater.

a. Describesources,compositionandquantitiesofallsanitary,municipalandindustrialwastewater

producedortreatedatthesite.

Explain why this project does not trigger an mandatory EAW 4410.4300 Subpart 18 forWastewater Systems




b. Describewastetreatmentmethodsorpollutionpreventioneffortsandgiveestimatesof

compositionaftertreatment.Identifyreceivingwaters,includingmajordownstreamwaterbodies

(identifyinganyimpairedwaters),andestimatethedischargeimpactonthequalityofreceiving

waters.

If

the

project

involves

on

site

sewage

systems,

discuss

the

suitability

of

site

conditions

for

suchsystems.




c. Ifwasteswillbedischargedintoapubliclyownedtreatmentfacility,identifythefacility,describe

anypretreatmentprovisionsanddiscussthefacilitysabilitytohandlethevolumeandcompositionofwastes,identifyinganyimprovementsnecessary.




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,MN 26 Worksheet


19. Geologichazardsandsoilconditions.

a. Approximatedepth(infeet)to

Processing&

Transload

Facility

Ground

water:

40

minimum;

60

average.

Bedrock: exposed minimum; 4feet average.

SlurryInjectionStation/Mine Groundwater: 140feet minimum; 150feet average.

Bedrock: exposed minimum; 4feet average.

Describeanyofthefollowinggeologicsitehazardstogroundwaterandalsoidentifythemonthe

sitemap:sinkholes,shallowlimestoneformationsorkarstconditions.Describemeasurestoavoid

orminimizeenvironmentalproblemsduetoanyofthesehazards.

Processing Facility Water level = Elevation 1101 based on averages of 8 wells within one mile.

Campbell Quarry = Elevation 1069 based on averages of 7 wells within one mile

The proposed development is located in an area of the state known for its Karst conditions (SeeFigure Karst Inventory Map). The Karst topography in Southeastern Minnesota is due to thecombination of natural water flows and the high solubility of the carbonate rock formations(Limestone) that are near the surface. Over time, the natural waters in the area have dissolvedthe limestone through both corrosion (the chemical erosion of the rock) and corrosion (themechanical erosion of rock by a moving agent such as water or ice). This carbonate watersolution has carried away material along subterranean conduits, thereby creating caves, sinkholesand other depressions. These conduits can be a direct link to groundwater contamination if

contaminants are allowed into them.Potential contaminants from the project or lots being created could include leaks from storagetanks and distribution systems for fuel and chemicals used in material processing and runofffrom fertilizer and pesticides used on lawn areas. In most situations, any storage tankscontaining significant volumes of hazardous materials will be required to have secondarycontainment systems per state and federal laws.

Sinkholes are usually a tell tale sign of Karst formations that need to be mitigated and there aresinkholes on properties adjacent to the development. While sinkholes can be capped and filled,building structures over them is not a recommended practice. Sinkhole probability and riskassessment within the project limits should be based on the negative effects of a sinkhole

forming and chances for contamination of the groundwater system. If a proposed use isdetermined to have a high risk potential, then resistivity testing may be required to determine thesinkhole probability for the area below the proposed structure. A location determined to be atrisk may be mitigated by moving the building location, exposing and sealing underlyingfractures or other methods that are proven to address Karst related issues.

If a Karst formation is encountered during general grading activities, that formation will need tobe analyzed to determine its structural and groundwater risk potential. If the water sourcefeeding a Karst formation is removed or redirected, the potential of expansion of the formation is


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,MN 27 Worksheet

greatly reduced. In situations where concentrated flows are draining into a Karst formation; theupstream runoff quality would need to be analyzed to determine the threat to the groundwater.Dye studies may also be necessary to determine the extent of groundwater impact.

There is not a one size fits all solution for dealing with potential Karst formations. Mostgrading, underground utility and building activities do not have a negative effect. Developmentactivities which can have negative effects are concentration of untreated water sources such asstorm water treatment ponds or holding ponds for water clarification processes. This

development is proposed to have a storm water treatment ponds. The locations for these pondswill be analyzed to determine if their sites are suitable based on soil and Karst conditions. Theponds may require a liner which may be clay or a synthetic material. Liners are common inponds and do not require any additional permits for construction. This project does include awater clarification process for recycling of hydro-transportation which is being designed usingmechanical systems instead of a large holding pond. This eliminates any chance for large scaleconveyance directly into a Karst formation. The decision to use a mechanical clarifier was notdetermined due to Karst probability.

Campbell Quarry

The mining footprint of the site is underlain by bedrock of the Platteville Limestone, Glenwood

Shale at the top of the ridge above elevation 1,225 and is underlain by the St. Peter Sandstone toa depth of 90-100 feet thick over the entire site.

The Platteville/Glenwood sequence is less than 20-25 feet thick and represents a resistant caprock over the top of the sand ridge.

The St. Peter Sandstone is a fine grained to medium grained, very well sorted, poorly cementedquartz sandstone with round grains making the sand desirable for silica sand.

The bedrock geology of the site is of Middle Ordovician age where the Platteville and GlenwoodFormations are the first encountered bedrock (See Figure Bedrock Geology). The Winona

County Soil Survey indicates the first encountered bedrock is shallow and is found only 1 to 6.6feet below the ground surface (See Figure Depth to any Restrictive Layer). Beneath thecaprock on the top of the ridge lies the St. Peter Sandstone that ranges from 90 to 100 feet thickand extends into the side slopes of the ridge.

No karst features, sinkholes or caves are known to exist in the vicinity and there are no mappedsinkholes in the immediate vicinity of the property. The sinkhole probability as defined by theMinnesota Geological Survey shows the site is within an area of low to moderate probabilityfor karst features (See Figure Karst Inventory Map). This classification is defined as an areathat has only widely scattered individual sinkholes or isolated clusters of 2 to 3 sinkholes wherethe average sinkhole density is less than one sinkhole per square mile. The upper 70-80 feet of

the St Peter Sandstone is not prone to sinkhole formation.

Sinkholes formation can be most easily avoided by preventing the concentration of water inponds. If sinkholes do occur the sinkholes can be easily mitigated by bridging or filling inaccordance with Best Management Practices that are widely accepted in the areas wheresinkholes do occur.


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,MN 28 Worksheet

Static water levels have been recorded from County Well Index data at an elevation ofapproximately 1,074 feet in the vicinity of the site.

Environmental problems concerning groundwater contamination from karst susceptibility orshallow bedrock conditions will be minimized by avoiding the use of hazardous materials duringthe mining activities. Operations will also prevent farmland runoff from entering the mining sitewhere rapid infiltration will occur. Mining operators will trained to detect the early warningsigns of sinkhole development to the extent practicable and will employ extreme caution with

mining equipment around the sinkhole fringes. In the event a sinkhole does form a ProfessionalGeologist will be consulted to properly close the sinkhole in a manner that will promoteprotection of groundwater resources.

b. Describethesoilsonthesite,givingNaturalResourcesConservationServiceclassifications,if

known.Discusssoiltextureandpotentialforgroundwatercontaminationfromwastesor

chemicalsspreadorspilledontothesoils.Discussanymitigationmeasurestopreventsuch

contamination.

Proc

eaw-draft to planning 10-29-12

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