Residents Voice Health and Water Concerns Over Proposed Sand Mine Near Mooreland

Residents of Mooreland recently convened to express significant concerns regarding a proposed sand mining operation south of the town.

 

The gathering, which exceeded the venue's capacity, was organized to collect public feedback on a permit application submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Mines.

 

The agency will evaluate the application after reviewing both verbal testimonies and written submissions.

 

Dalton Reazin, a neighboring landowner, highlighted the proximity of the proposed site to residential areas.

 

"My family and I are landowners right next to this property," Reazin stated.

 

"The main concerns are the amount of sand or silica dust that will be blowing in the wind, truck traffic, and what this does to our town."

 

He emphasized worries that strong seasonal winds could carry dust into residential zones.

 

Additionally, Reazin expressed apprehension about market control if a single company dominated concrete production.

 

"Once they starve out their competition, they'll control concrete prices in this area, just like we've seen in Guymon," he noted.

 

"It's not a local business—they don't put money back into the community like people who live here."

 

Bill Croell, CEO of Croell Inc., addressed the attendees, describing the proposed site as a small, temporary operation intended to supply sand for concrete production at the company's Woodward plant.

 

"We're a family-run company," Croell said.

 

"This is not industrial mining. It's designed to supply packaged concrete sand for our plant."

 

He mentioned that equipment would operate for two to three months at a time, potentially every few years, with truck traffic estimated at about four loads per day during peak periods.

 

"We basically have one truck running out of there," he added.

 

However, several residents challenged these estimates, citing permit language that allows significantly higher water use and sand extraction.

 

"The permit says 500,000 gallons of water a day and 1,000 tons of sand a day," one speaker pointed out.

 

"That doesn't sound like a couple of trucks."

 

Health concerns were a recurring theme, particularly regarding silica dust exposure.

 

"If your workers have to wear monitors, that tells me there's going to be silica," said a resident living along the proposed haul route.

 

"My kids don't get monitors."

 

Respirable crystalline silica can cause serious diseases, including silicosis, an incurable lung disease, as well as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and cardiovascular problems, according to OSHA.

 

High silica intake in cattle can cause dental wear, digestive issues, and reduced feed intake, while inhalation can lead to respiratory problems.

 

Wildlife exposed to silica may experience reduced nutrition and lifespan.

 

Another speaker, who works with elderly residents, expressed concern about a nearby nursing home.

 

"These people already struggle to breathe," she said.

 

"Putting this just south of them is not right."

 

Water safety was also a central concern, with multiple speakers referencing the North Canadian River, which contributes to Oklahoma City's drinking water.

 

"Our water is a non-renewable resource," said Sonya Peach, whose family has lived and worked along the river for generations.

 

"Once it's polluted, we can't undo that."

 

Company representatives stated that the operation would use a closed-loop water system with no added chemicals.

 

"The water we use goes back into the pond," said Justin Pitre, territory manager with Croell Inc.

 

"We are required to meet stormwater and reclamation standards."

 

Residents also questioned whether reclaimed land would be fully restored.

 

"I've seen what happens when companies leave," said one former sand industry worker.

 

"They say they'll fix it, but they don't always."

 

Road safety and maintenance were raised as well, particularly regarding narrow county roads and school bus routes.

 

"That road is residential," one speaker said.

 

"It's not built for semis."

 

Meeting officials emphasized that the gathering was for public comment only, not a question-and-answer session.

 

All comments will be compiled into a report for the Department of Mines.

 

"This permit has not been issued," a facilitator stated.

 

"The Department of Mines will make a determination after reviewing this information."

 

Founded in 1968 in northeast Iowa, Croell is a family-owned, multi-state supplier of concrete and aggregates, operating more than 150 locations across the United States.

 

The proposed mining site is on land recently purchased by the company at an auction in Section 23, Township 22 North, Range 19 West, Woodward County.

 

For additional information, contact Andrea Adams, Legal Department, Oklahoma Department of Mines, 2915 North Classen Blvd, Suite 213, Oklahoma City, OK 73106, or call 405-522-9840.

 

Commissioner Troy White from District 1 of Mooreland was in attendance.

 

In response to the proposed sand mine, community members have initiated a petition to halt its development.

 

The petition emphasizes the potential degradation of Mooreland's natural beauty and ecological balance.

 

It highlights concerns about habitat destruction for local wildlife, increased air and water pollution, and the depletion of resources that countless species depend on.

 

Studies have shown that sand mines can release harmful particles into the air, which may result in respiratory problems for residents, especially affecting children and the elderly.

 

Moreover, the economic promises made by the proponents of the mine often fail to materialize, leaving communities to deal with long-term consequences.

 

In many cases, jobs generated are temporary and outmatched by the decline in local property values and potential damage to agriculture, a key industry in the area.

 

Vibrant communities like Mooreland rely on sustainable practices that preserve land and livelihoods for future generations.

 

Residents are encouraged to join the opposition to the proposed sand mine by signing the petition to safeguard the community, its environment, and its future.

 

By signing, individuals lend their voices to protect Mooreland and ensure it remains a wonderful place to live for future generations.

 

For more information on the petition and how to get involved, residents can contact local community leaders or visit community centers for details.

 

As the community awaits the Department of Mines' decision, the collective voice of Mooreland's residents underscores the importance of preserving the town's environmental integrity and public health.

 

The outcome of this permit application will have lasting implications for the community's future.