Frac Sand Moratorium

Frac sand mining debates continued last week at a Buffalo County hearing in Gilmanton where a zoning committee voted to recommend a six month moratorium extension. The proposal was sent to the Buffalo County Board for action at a meeting next Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Half of the two dozen people who spoke at the hearing supported a moratorium extension and the other half opposed it. Moratorium advocates said more time was necessary to study and evaluate sand mining risks to public health, safety, environment and landscape.

Industry and landowner interests in frac-sand mining said the county should lift its moratorium for the sake of jobs and economic growth. A seven month moratorium on permits for new or expanded non-metallic mining expires on October 31st.

County zoning supervisors voted 3 to 1 to recommend an extension of the moratorium through April 30th.