Senate committee hears proponent testimony on bill to create state rules for underground limestone mining

At a meeting of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the committee held the third hearing on Senate Bill 181 and heard proponent testimony from Tim Wilson, president of the Shelley Company.

Wilson told the committee the Shelley Company is "one of Ohio's leading limestone, concrete, and asphalt paving companies," and described company operations and industry needs as the basis for supporting SB 181. He said the company operates "more than 90 locations and 1,600 employees," serves 81 of Ohio's 88 counties, and runs 25 surface mines and "including two underground limestone mines here in Ohio," one in the Marble Cliff area of Columbus. Wilson said the bill would create a statewide regulatory program administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to address mine development, roof…