Twin Rivers Exploration seeks narrower tile buffer, expanded road access for seismic survey; supervisors pause decision

Twin Rivers Exploration asked the Wright County Board of Supervisors on April 21 to amend a county road-use permit so the company can complete seismic surveys aimed at locating natural hydrogen. Company representatives asked the board to reduce a 250-foot setback from subsurface drainage tiles to a 50-foot buffer — or to a performance standard of 0.5 peak particle velocity (PPV) measured by on-site monitors — and to expand road miles covered by the permit from about 240 to roughly 370 miles, including some paved roads.

The company said seismic imaging is necessary before drilling and that without the change in setback the survey would leave large data gaps and force trucks onto private fields. Kyle Handy, land negotiator for Twin Rivers Exploration, told the board the company will carry a $2 million insurance policy, provide a full indemnity to the county, log every vibration shot with GPS and place PPV monitors near tiles and other structures. “The PPV measurements are…