WEINGARTEN – Operation Sand is supporting a bill that would prohibit the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from issuing permits for a silica frac sand mine located in a third or fouth class county where the proposed mine is located within 2.5 miles of a state park, conservation area, or natural area.
A rally in support of the bill is set for Monday in the state capitol.
“We need a huge turnout in Jeff City on Monday regarding the legislation we are proposing to stop the silica mine,” Operation Sand official Julian Ditch Anslow stated in an email.
“We are asking people to meet Monday, February 13th at 11 am at the Missouri Veterans Memorial behind the Missouri State Capitol building (201 W Capitol Ave, Jefferson City, MO 65101). We will gather here to brief on any important updates before we all walk into the Capitol building together for the meeting at noon. We will have green Operation Sand T-shirts available for anyone who wants one so we can walk in showing a united front,” Anslow continued.
She added that numbers are important.
“If we don’t have a good turnout, this bill is likely to die at the committee. This is our ONE shot to make this happen. The modified version of the bill hasn’t been filed yet, but I will send the bill number along and/or more information ASAP.”