The Winona County Planning Commission will be asked next week to recommend that the county oversee preparation of an environmental assessment worksheet on the Farm-2-Rail proposal near St. Charles, instead of the City of St. Charles.
                 
County Planning and Environmental Services Director Jason Gilman said the state Environmental Quality Board has ruled that Winona County serve as the responsible government unit because Farm-2-Rail wants the EAW completed before it even seeks a permit to operate the proposed facility.

Gilman said the unusual circumstance will not impact St. Charles' future input on the proposal.

Gilman said the planning commission will discuss the Farm-2-Rail request next Thursday, August 16th, at 7:00 p.m. at the County Government Center. The final decision on who eventually oversees the EAW process will lie with the Winona County Board.

Also on next Thursday's planning commission agenda, is the county's first request for a permit to allow a frac sand mining operation. The request is for a 20 acre site in Saratoga Township submitted by David and Sherry Nisbit.