Gov. Walker weighs in on sand mine controversy

Hi-Crush Sand Mining is expanding in Whitehall

WHITEHALL, Wis. — Wisconsin’s Governor joins in on an area company’s employee appreciation day.

Governor Scott Walker visited Hi-Crush Thursday, a sand mine company in Whitehall.

The company is currently renovating its facility. The addition will give them enough space to add about 100 permanent jobs.

Sand mines have become a topic of controversy in the Midwest.

While the mines do create more jobs, many residents question the health and environmental impacts they’ll have on the area.

“Sometimes people have a fear of the unknown. I think the more they tour operations like this and elsewhere, they’ll see the high standards that the state makes and we don’t make exceptions, even for some of these larger operations. If there’s problems, we’ll take action and make sure they’re following rules, and I think when people see that and see that happen over time, my guess is there’s going to be fewer of those moratoriums,” said Gov. Walker.

The governor says they’ve upped the staff at the DNR to help ease those concerns.

There are about 135 sand mine operations in Trempealeau County, the most of any county in the state.