The Winona City Planning Commission Monday continued its study on the sand moratorium and frac sand issues.
           
The commissioners heard from staff on existing water quality regulations that apply to frac sand mining.

Commissioner Pam Eydon asked staff if the use of flocculants, chemicals used to help settle out fine particles so that wash water can be reused, could be under local control instead of state control.

Area residents in other communities have voiced concernc that the chemicals used could leach into the groundwater supply, and potentially contaminate nearby wells.

The commission instructed staff to collect additional information on the subject of local control of possible usage of flocculants.

The planning commission has been studing frac sand issues for several months and will bring recommendations to the City Council before the year long frac sand moratorium expires.