OLIVIA -- Renville County's Board of Commissioners approved Tuesday a conditional use permit that will allow a company to strip mine a 25-acre site adjacent to Fort Ridgely State Park.
The permit approved on a unanimous vote will allow Northern Con-Agg Inc. of Plymouth to mine kaolin clay at the site, and to develop a hauling road to it. The site is owned by Southwestern Land Company Inc. and Larry Wendinger, Ronald Wendinger and Charles and Joyce Firle, according to information included in the permit.
The clay will be stripped from the site and processed at an off-site location. The company provides kaolin clay primarily for use in cement manufacturing.
The company operates other kaolin and aggregate mining operations in the area. The commissioners made note of the company's record of compliance with county regulations in granting the permit, according to minutes of the meeting. The county Planning Commission had also recommended approval of the permit.
Prior to applying for the permit, the company met with state park officials to discuss the project.
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Mark Tjosaas, state park manager, said the park asked that screening and a 100-foot buffer be provided between the park and the mining operations. The area is adjacent to the park's popular horse campground.
The company agreed to provide the buffer and limit operations during the busy summer season at the park. It will erect a chain link fence between the site and park.
The park had also expressed concerns about the expected loss of burr oak trees. The company indicated it may remove 30 oak trees to develop a haul road.
Fort Ridgely Park is noted for its scenic river valley bluffs and the oak trees that were part of the oak savannah that existed in that portion of the river valley.
The permit issued includes more than two dozens conditions on the mining operations, including a requirement to reclaim the land when the mining is complete. The company indicated that the excavated areas will be restored as recreational ponds.
The county found that the project was in keeping with its comprehensive plan, and that it would not have a significant adverse effect on property values, future development, or the health, safety and general welfare of nearby residents.
In other business, the commissioners approved fees to extend the Lake Allie sewer system to a planned subdivision. They set a fee of $6,400 per lot based on estimated costs for the extension.
The housing subdivision will include four lots. The Oakdale Country Club and Nelson Properties asked for the extension.
