Industrial Sand Mining in Western Wisconsin:

Resources for Environmental Monitoring and Advocacy

Welcome to the frac sand mining wiki. Included in these interlinking wikis are information, tools and resources related to the frac sand issue. This page serves as:

1) the landing page for projects, people and ideas related to the frac sand mining issue,
2) a learning experience for those interested in exploring what frac sand mining is and what people have done about it, and
3) a jump off spot for what could be done in the future regarding frac sand mining.

Like all Public Lab wiki’s, this page, and all those attached are editable. So if you don’t see something there that should be, edit the page and add it!

Who is this wiki for?

This wiki is an editable resource for anyone interested in:

• learning about the frac sand issue,
• looking to connect with others on the issue or projects,
• compiling resources people can use in the fight against frac sand mining, or
• exploring options to take in their community to address frac sand mining.

Table of Contents

• Background Information This page gives information about the history of frac sand mining, what it is, what it is used for, and the environmental and human health concerns that surround it.
• People and Places The first permitting for Frac Sand mining in Wisconsin started in late 2006 (Pearson, 2015). Since then, thousands of people have participated in the fight against the frac sand mining industry's negative effects. Learn more about the groups involved and what they are doing on the Wisconsin wiki page.
• Silica Monitoring The Silica monitoring wiki includes information that explains what respirable airborne silica is how it can affect human health, how it is regulated, and how it can be monitored. The wiki delves deep into different ways silica and airborne particles (PM) are monitored, how those monitors work and who recognizes different types of monitoring.
• Advocacy Leverage Points This wiki discusses regulations surrounding frac sand mining, particularly those related to air quality, and highlights leverage points for towns and community groups. The page also outlines different approaches people have used to address the frac sand issue in their community.
• Action Oriented Resources The Action Oriented Resources wiki compiles many tools people can use in addressing the frac sand issue. There are workshops on picking advocacy strategies, guidelines for setting up an environmental monitoring program, resources for working with the media, tools for reporting pollution and contact information for state and county regulators.

Research in progress and Wikis

power-tag to research notes and wikis tagged with "silica", "particulate matter", "dust", "wisconsin", and "frac sand"