Environment Minnesota Research & Policy Center has fired a new salvo in the growing debate over frac sand mining, an industry poised for rapid expansion in Winona and other areas in Minnesota.

The group was in Winona on Thursday and released a report they say documents a wide range of dollars and cents costs imposed by the fracking industry. According to their report, fracking creates millions of dollars of health costs related to everything from air pollution to ruined roads to contaminated property.

Jim Gurley, a resident of rural Winona County, called for state action saying Minnesota needs a 3-year moratorium on any new or expanded frac sand mining, processing, and transport. Environment Minnesota has recently collected more than 400 names on a petition calling for more information on the risks of frac sand mining, and a moratorium.

The group is a liberal, state-based, citizen-supported organization that focuses on  environmental issues.