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Planning commission approves Holcomb mining permit, extends operations with reclamation conditions
Summary
The Cottage Grove Planning Commission on Jan. 27 approved Holcomb Mining Permit MP 2025-001, allowing the Wholesome/Holsom aggregate operation to continue annual extraction and processing with stipulated reclamation and monitoring; the vote was 7-0.
The Cottage Grove Planning Commission on Jan. 27 unanimously approved Holcomb Mining Permit MP 2025-001, permitting continued extraction and processing at the facility at 11250 Gray Cloud Trail and endorsing the applicant’s reclamation work and operational conditions.
Staff told commissioners the facility mined about 510,000 tons of aggregate in 2024 and that most material is shipped by barge; less than 10,000 tons were hauled by truck. The applicant proposed to continue operations for another three to four years and presented reclamation work that includes reestablishing oak savannah and removing nonnative species.
Riley Rooney, planning staff, summarized the application and noted the permit is separate from an ongoing environmental impact statement for the company’s Lower Gray Cloud Island activity. Rooney said there were no noise complaints reported to public safety in the prior year.
Patty Bessler, representing Wilson MWR and the applicant, said the operation is “status quo” and described the company’s use of a fully electric suction dredge to remove overburden from previously mined areas, moving material to other portions of the site so that areas slated for final grade and development can be reclaimed. Bessler said the firm is working with Great River Greening on oak savannah restoration and invasive species removal.
Commissioners expressed general support for the applicant’s reclamation work. Commissioner Rasmussen said he was “glad to see your operation's going as planned,” and Commissioner Fisher praised the invasive-species work and protection of natural areas.
Commissioner Fisher moved to approve the permit “subject to the stipulations in the staff report,” and Commissioner Cavanable seconded. The motion carried by roll call, 7-0.
The permit approval carries the conditions listed in the staff report; staff and the applicant said they would implement the stated reclamation and monitoring steps and comply with any permitting requirements tied to reclamation and wetland management.
The commission moved on to the Lockridge item after the vote.
