DNR audits quarry reclamation plan; committee to report back at next meeting

City of Franklin Quarry Monitoring Committee members were told July 29 that staff from the Department of Natural Resources conducted an audit of the site’s reclamation plan and related financial-assurance requirements and that committee members will get an update at an upcoming meeting. "Today we had an audit from with, staff from DNR, Department of Natural Resources," a staff member said during the meeting, adding, "hopefully in the next meeting or following meeting, we'll provide updates on how the audit was and what actions we need to take."

The committee was told the audit focused on the reclamation ordinance, the reclamation plan and financial assurance tied to the plan. "It was, about the, reclamation ordinance, the reclamation plan, the financial assurance, that the reclamation plan provide for the, for the reclamation," President Deavey said during discussion.

Speakers at the meeting also discussed how long reclamation might take. One resident said about the timeline: "A few years. Yeah. Somebody told me I won't be seeing this new park. I'm 72 now." The committee did not take a formal vote on the audit at the July 29 meeting; members said staff will return with details and any recommended actions in a subsequent meeting.

Committee members approved minutes and discussed scheduling, and a staff member said the committee expects to present the DNR audit findings at the next or a following meeting. The committee did not adopt or change the reclamation plan or financial-assurance terms during the session; no formal regulatory decision was recorded at the July 29 meeting.