Concerns raised by residents about proposed quarry near Clementson
A proposal for a rock quarry near Clementson has ended amid opposition from residents regarding environmental and noise impacts.
The Koochiching County Board denied a request for a zone change and a conditional use permit in a 4-1 vote Tuesday. Commissioner Kallie Briggs voted against the motion to deny the proposal. Sixteen people interested in the issue attended the county board meeting.
Commissioners raised concerns about the county’s process for applying for permits and notification of neighbors when an application for a permit is made.
Bowman Construction had proposed to establish a four-acre quarry on an 80-acre site west of County Road 89.
Residents who spoke against the proposed project at Tuesday’s meeting said their concerns involving having a commercial project in a residential area, potentially negative impacts to the area’s wells, and truck traffic on County Road 89.
Commissioner Mike Hanson said he knows the county needs a rock quarry, but wanted to honor residents by not supporting the proposal.
“It’s about peace and about why you live there,” he said.
Commissioner Wade Pavleck pointed out that Bowman Construction operates a quarry in his district and he said he has not received complaints about blasting.
The county is expected to have a shortage of materials needed for road maintenance in the future and Pavleck questioned if a sunset clause could have been added to the proposal. A sunset clause would allow the contractor to move forward with the project and allow area residents to discuss concerns after a period of time.
Bowman Construction can reapply for a permit in the future, according to Environmental Services Director Richard Lehtinen.
Also at issue was that area residents were unaware that a rock quarry had been proposed. Neighbors within a one-half mile of the proposed site were notified and a notification was printed in The Daily Journal.
Commissioner Chuck Lepper, who also sits on the Planning Commission, said proper notification was given by the Planning Commission. However, most residents in the Clementson area don’t receive The Journal and therefore didn’t know about the project or meetings.
Lepper said that public meetings should have been held by the contractor before the permit application was filed.
Koochiching County Board news notes
• The Koochiching County Board is expected to notify state court administration that it will not pick up costs for services required, but not funded by the state.
The Minnesota Board of Public Defense cut 72 public defender jobs to help with a $3.8 million state budget deficit.
Of concern are 45 cases pending Child in Need of Protective Services cases in Koochiching County. Public defenders represent parents in CHIPS cases, but because of the recent cuts, public defenders will no longer provide services in CHIPS cases.
Commissioner Wade Pavleck said the county wants the state to pay for services it requires. The issue has been brought to a “boiling point” with the issue of the public defenders being cut.
In addition, county department supervisors have been asked to bring any costs shifted to their department by the state to the county board to track the costs.
• The board clarified that it is requesting International Falls Attorney Joe Boyle not represent agencies that are created by joint powers agreements between the city of International Falls and Koochiching County — even after the Highway 332 issue is resolved. The board approved in a 4-1 vote to rewrite the June 24 minutes to reflect the clarification. Commissioner Mike Hanson voted against the motion.
• The board approved the purchase of monoliths for the proposed outdoor veterans memorial. The county is proposing to move the memorial from the second floor of the county courthouse to the east lot of TruStar Federal Credit Union.