Sand Mining in Western Wisconsin

Frac sand mining in Wisconsin is something that has been around for a while, but has ramped up in quantity over the last couple years.  Wisconsin is one of the only locations in the country where sand of such a high quality can be found, because before it can be used in hydrofracking it must first meet very stringent standards.  Frac sand mining is basically the systematic removal of sand from mining locations.  That sand is then used in filter beds, well screen packing, glass making, dairy operations, but mostly and more recently for use in hydrofracking in the petroleum industries.  Hydrofracking is used to extract crude oil and natural gas from sand and rock deep under the surface.  The sand is specifically used to keep the fissures open that the pressure creates, allowing natural gas and crude oil to be extracted from the well.  The increase in Hydrofracking has greatly increased the demand for sand mines in Central and Western Wisconsin, where silica sand is very common.

Figure 1: the Hydrofracking Process

When it comes to the environmental impacts of frac sand mining the list goes on and on.  Air impacts, blasting, transportation burdens, employee health hazards, water pollution, noise pollution, etc.  It really is an exhausting list of impacts that frac sand mining can have.  but with these negative impacts there are some positives.  Numerous jobs are created every time a new mine is constructed.  The economy also improves when a mine is opened.

It's a tough question to answer whether these mines are positive or negative in Wisconsin. One way would be to weigh the economic gains against the environmental impacts.  In this GIS II class we will delve deeper into the impacts of frac sand mines on the environment and on the people that inhabit it.  By the end of the class the goal is to have a suitability and risk model for the mines, specifically in Trempealeau County Wisconsin.

Sources:

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Mines/Deposit.html

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/mines/silica.html

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Mines/documents/SilicaSandMiningFinal.pdf

http://wcwrpc.org/frac-sand-factsheet.pdf

http://popularlogistics.com/2011/11/paul-krugman-on-fracking-and-renewable-energy/