Opposition Continues Towards Route 71 Sand Mine

Perhaps seeing the inevitable is happening, opponents of a proposed sand mine near Starved Rock State Park are changing their approach.

The Sierra Club has set up on online petition not to oppose Mississippi Sand or Archer Daniels Midland from hauling sand but to make sure the Ottawa City Council puts in plenty of restrictions before approving ADM’s expansion plans for hauling sand.  The environmental group wants the city council to adopt nine restrictions to ADM’s permit including: requiring asphalt roads; not allowing uncovered storage of sand; limit hours of operation from 7 to 7 Monday thru Friday and 7 until noon on Saturdays; and having ADM install air monitors at schools, daycares and homes within 2 miles of their barge facility on the Illinois River.

The Ottawa City Council is expected to vote on ADM’s requests next Tuesday night.  To check out the Sierra Club’s petition, click http://stopthestarvedrocksandmine.wordpress.com/2013/07/10/adm-petition/