Land Reclamation

Legal Framework

Wisconsin Administrative Code (NR 135) requires mine operators to develop a mine reclamation plan and to systematically reclaim a mine site as a part of ongoing operations. During mining, operators carefully remove and stockpile the subsoil and topsoil layers. After mining is completed, these layers are put back in place and the site is planted.

Reclamation Process

Soil Health

Challenges

Mining of industrial (frac) sand in Wisconsin occurs on marginal soils (shallow, sandy, low moisture, and low fertility) and it is vulnerable to erosion due to steep slopes. This makes establishment of vegetation and reclamation more complex and challenging. There is limited knowledge on how these upland soils respond to disturbance and little research on potential strategies that might be implemented to improve reclamation success, creating an urgent need for scientifically-grounded data and studies.