Gays Mills

Editor-

The Crawford Stewardship Project is proud to have worked with the brave citizens of Bridgeport in an effort to hold the Town Board of Bridgeport accountable for its unscrupulous approval process that led to the permitting of Pattison Sand Company's Bridgeport frac sand mine without any health, safety, quality of life, or property protections for neighbors of the mine and other town residents. Conditional use permits are just that, an opportunity to put conditions on a permit, giving the town and its residents adequate protections against possible negative impacts. The township choose instead to issue a 60-year conditional use permit with basically no conditions protecting the town and its residents and instead granting Pattison Sand every condition they requested.

Judge Day's ruling leaves Pattison Sand Company, the non-metallic mining company with the most violations of any in the nation, free to mine at Bridgeport for 60 years. Already in the past year, this new mine has had runoff issues affecting neighboring property and has received seven violations from the Mine Safety and Health Administration on its first inspection. This is only the beginning of a long chapter in the story of Bridgeport Township that will leave its mark forever on the land and the community.

Forest Jahnke, Crawford Stewardship Project

For the story on the court ruling, see: http://www.swnews4u.com/section/121/article/25664/