Sparlin

takes mining

issue to

St. Paul

Another meeting

set for Monday

at capitol

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

ST. PAUL -- A New Ulm conservation advocate took his cause to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office Wednesday and said he's getting results.

Scott Sparlin, executive director of the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River, talked with Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch Wednesday at the capitol about a rock mining operation along the designated Wild and Scenic portion of the Minnesota River near Redwood Falls.

Sparlin and other conservation proponents insist that Renville County commissioners acted illegally several years ago when they granted a mining permit allowing Duininck Brothers Construction Co. of Prinsburg to mine 20 acres of gneiss and granite rock outcropping east of Redwood Falls.

Sparlin said Hatch was "real positive, upbeat, and on board for some action," regarding the issue. Another meeting with Hatch, Sparlin, state elected officials and members of several Minnesota River basin regional conservation groups will meet at the capitol again at 7 p.m., Monday.

"Sometimes the little guy needs to stand up and say 'It's not right,'" Sparlin said. "Obviously, this has caught the state's attention and that's good. We're moving forward. We'll discuss the state's roll in this. I'll know a lot more after Monday night."

The mining issue came to light again last year at a Renville County Board meeting when commissioners renewed the mining permit for about half the amount of land the original permit included. The latest permit put the mining area out of sight from the river and road and included site cleanup and restoration.

Sparlin and other conservation advocates are concerned that the 2004 Legislature will include bills that would allow for more liberal mining in Wild and Scenic designated rivers. Such areas would include the Minnesota from Lac Qui Parle Dam to Franklin; and parts of the Mississippi, Kettle, Rum, St. Croix, Cannon, and North Fork of the Crow rivers.

Renville County Commissioner Paul Setzephant of Bird Island asked for research to determine if the river designation actually prohibited rock mining and for two more years time so the Legislature could make changes if it is.