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Williams County approves conditional use permit for Ramsey Hill frac‑sand facility after public health and dust concerns
Summary
The commission approved Ramsey Hill Exploration's conditional use permit to construct and operate a frac sand processing facility; residents raised groundwater contamination and silica dust concerns during public comment and company representatives described mitigation measures and bonding requirements.
Williams County commissioners voted to approve a conditional use permit allowing Ramsey Hill Exploration to construct and operate a frac sand (frac‑sand) processing facility and phased mining operation in Hoffman Township, subject to conditions and reclamation bonding.
Michelle Haugen, planning and zoning staff, described project LUD-0103-24: the subject property totals about 1,109 acres with approximately 593 acres expected to be used for mining in four phases; the applicant anticipates excavation to depths between 20 and 50 feet. Planning and zoning recommended approval on Feb. 20, 2025, by an 8–0 vote.
During the public comment period, local resident Jim Freeburg said his family owns a cabin near the proposed mine and asked the commission to deny the permit or require an independent study because he feared "well water contamination" from chemicals used in processing. Freeburg described the concern that clarifying thickeners and flocculants could be returned to mine pits and then migrate to groundwater, and asked who would independently evaluate contamination risks.
Mike Chino, representing Ramsey Hill, responded that the chemical in question is "a polyacrylamide, flocculant," which he said is used in municipal water treatment and "is a food grade flocculent" with a "very short half life," and that the company plans to remain above the water table. Chino said mining will begin on the north side of Highway 52 and noted the company plans phased mining of roughly 40 acres at a time, continuous reclamation, berms and tree buffers near residences, water‑trucking on haul roads and a fugitive dust plan submitted to the state air agency. Chino said the processing plant will include enclosed drying and dust‑collection systems (baghouse) and that the company must meet EPA and MSHA dust standards.
Landowner Bill Sheldon said observed groundwater levels and local springs indicate the water table fluctuates; he estimated static water levels near 50 feet in his area and noted state monitoring wells are available online. Commissioners asked staff and applicants about reclamation bonding; Haugen said the planning and zoning conditions require a reclamation bond posted at 125% of an engineer's estimate for each 40‑acre mining tract, with a new bond required before mining a new tract.
Commissioner discussion noted conditions requiring berms and tree planting before any mining south of 50 Second Street, phased bonding and ongoing reclamation. A motion to "approve following staff comments" was moved and seconded; the board approved the permit by roll call, with affirmative votes from Beau, Chris, Barry, Steve and Corey.
The permit record includes conditions for reclamation bonds, a dust‑control plan submitted to state air quality regulators, construction of berms and tree buffers before certain mining phases, and a requirement to post a bond equal to 125% of a North Dakota‑licensed engineer's estimate for each 40‑acre mine area. The commission's approval does not remove state permitting responsibilities for air, water or worker safety.
