A timber company subsidiary is looking to build a sand processing facility in western Wisconsin that would eliminate more than 16 acres of wetlands.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Meteor Timber wants to build sand drying plant along Interstate 94 in Monroe County and a sand mine in neighboring Jackson County. The project would eliminate 16.6 acres of wetlands, much of which includes land a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers official has described as pristine forest.
Wisconsin law as well as the Corps of Engineers requires avoiding disturbing wetlands whenever possible. Meteor is trying to convince both entities that alternative sites won't work.
Midwest Environmental Advocates, an environmental law firm, is urging the Corps and the state Department of Natural Resources to deny permits for the project.
