Letter about Original haul route is enough

To the Editor,

Fillmore County is considering granting extra haul routes for the Rein frac sand mine near Highland. The original route toward Winona that was agreed to in 2013 is still open, available and not fully utilized. Extra routes mean extra troubles for locals.

I drive through Trempealeau County, Wis., a couple times a week. My route includes a section of state highway that is used by frac sand haulers. Over the last year, the number of trucks hauling sand has steadily increased. Now, no matter when I drive through, there isn’t a time when there isn’t a frac sand truck turning onto the highway. This highway is one of the only ways to get from one end of the county to the other. Aside from the dropping property values, and increased congestion, the highway pavement is developing interesting new wear patterns. Soon, road repair will be next.

The locals in Trempealeau County don’t have many options available to them to change what is happening to their road, but we in Fillmore County do. At this time, additional haul routes for the Rein mine are unnecessary. Please join me in urging your commissioners to deny the request for additional haul routes.

Elizabeth Mitchell

Lanesboro, MN