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Eau Claire (WQOW) - An overflow crowd packs city hall as the frac sand debate has landed in Eau Claire.
Frac sand has been a hot topic in western Wisconsin for a few years, but there hasn't been a big impact on the city of Eau Claire itself, until now.
Muskie Proppant wants to build a rail spur on the city's north side. The spur would be used to transfer frac sand. On Tuesday, a developer's agreement will go before the city council for a vote. On Monday night, at a public hearing, the city council heard from an attorney representing Muskie. Attorney Brian Nodolf said there would be no mining or processing at the site. He said all of the washing and drying would happen in Pierce County.
Nodolf also said there would be minimal dust. He said the trucks would be covered. Nodolf said Muskie is offering to put in its own air monitoring system even though that isn't required. Up to 45 trucks per day would use the site. Nodolf said he has an issue with neighbors who feel they can't do this kind of thing there because the area is already zoned as heavy industrial.
Citizens started speaking around 9:30 p.m. They aired concerns about truck traffic, noise, property values, etc.
