Williams County approves conditional use permit for Energy Sand Solutions with road and timing conditions

The Williams County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 7 approved a conditional use permit for Energy Sand Solutions LLC to construct and operate a frac sand (industrial sand) facility in Houghland Township, with conditions tied to road improvements and permit timing.

The permit covers mining and processing on a tract described by county staff; the applicant told planners the site comprises roughly 405 acres with a maximum of 40 acres of active mining at any one time and an anticipated average of 30 to 40 truck trips per day during active hauling windows. Planning and Zoning recommended approval 6–2; the commission approved the permit by roll call vote (yes: Corey, Bo, Chris, Barry, Steve).

County planning staff said the operation would include a signed reclamation agreement between the miner and the landowner; Development Services staff told the commission the state requires a private reclamation agreement between landowner and company. During public comment, nearby resident Kenneth Schmidt…