Following is a statement released jointly by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), the Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin (APW) and the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA) on the decision of the Department of Natural Resources to reject a petition for rulemaking with respect to crystalline silica:
Today the Department of Natural Resources made the correct decision to deny a petition for rulemaking seeking unwarranted silica regulations. The decision to reject the costly new regulations is consistent with Wisconsin law, and supported by findings that ambient concentrations of silica do not pose a public health risk.
Wisconsin has been mining sand in a safe and protective manner for decades. Today’s decision reflects the fact that frac sand mining is already a very heavily-regulated activity, and the burdensome regulations proposed in the petition are not necessary to protect public health.
Our organizations commend the DNR for making a decision based upon sound science and the law, and our members look forward to growing additional jobs in the frac sand mining industry while protecting the environment.
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