FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2012
Joint Business
Group Statement on DNR Silica Decision
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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