Residents of Haven Township and surrounding areas, take note - a significant development could soon change your landscape. Sherburne County has opened a 30-day public comment period regarding the proposed Haven Township Sand and Gravel Mine. Starting on Nov. 26 and concluding at 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, this window allows locals to voice their concerns or support, as reported by Sherburne County. The project will impact 683 acres and involves extensive mining operations which cover everything from vegetation removal and overburden clearance to sand and gravel extraction and processing.
The necessity for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has driven the release of a Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet – the first in a series of steps designed to ensure environmental safety and sustainability. Through the worksheet, issues anticipated to have a serious impact, that the EIS will later address, are laid out. With a scope of activities including crushing, washing, screening, and even the recycling of asphalt and concrete, not to mention stockpiling, loading, and hauling, as detailed by Sherburne County.
According to the public notice shared by Sherburne County, the Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet and Draft Scoping Decision Document can be accessed for review. Seeking greater transparency, these documents are made available both online and at the Sherburne County Government Center, along with the Great River Regional Library.
Sherburne County has scheduled a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Sherburne County Historical Society. This event allows the public to engage with project experts, ask questions, and submit comments. The importance of the potential changes will be felt throughout the discussion.
Comments can also be submitted by mail to Lynn Waytashek, Planning and Zoning Administrator, Sherburne County, 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River, MN 55330, as per Sherburne County. This comment period offers the public a key opportunity to influence or challenge the future development of the area before the mining project begins.
