Controversial Sand Mine Still Waiting To Start

When Mississippi Sand begins mining east of Starved Rock State Park is still anyone’s guess.

Mississippi Sand Vice President Tom Greco told the La Salle County Board Monday night he can’t give them a definitive start date, only saying they have received all their state permits and are in the process of getting a construction permit from the county.  While he didn’t mention it, a lawsuit by opponents like the Sierra Club is also preventing Mississippi Sand from getting started.

Greco says some of the opposition has had a “loss of accuracy” and many safety steps have been forgotten or overlooked by opponents.  He says one big misconception is that the mine will have a major impact of traffic on Route 71.  Greco says Mississippi Sand won’t affect traffic and they’ve already committed to limit truck activity during busy days at Starved Rock.

Ottawa activist Farley Andrews spoke after Greco and urged the board to reconsider their options for sand mining.  He argued silica sand mining is a detriment to farmland and public health.