The Winona County Planning Department continues to review environmental assessment worksheets for two proposed frac sand mines in Saratoga Township while awaiting the submittal of a complete third EAW.
                    
Planning and Environmental Services Director Jason Gilman said the official publication of the EAWs on the Dabblestein and Yoder proposals should take place on December 24th. That starts a 30-day public comment period that will run through January 23rd.

After that, the county will have until February 22nd, to respond to the public comments and, Gilman says, the county must decide by then whether to accept the EAWs or require a more comprehensive Environemental Impact Statement.

Before the final decision is reached both the Planning Commission and County Board will hold public hearings.

Meanwhile, Gilman said a third EAW is being required for the Nisbit sand mine proposal, also in Saratoga Township. He said portions of that document have been submitted but a formal review will not begin until all of the douments are received, hopefully by the end of this month.