Wisconsin landowners sue frac-sand mines over health effects

By: Associated Press//May 3, 2019//

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WHITEHALL, Wis. (AP) — Forty landowners in western Wisconsin are suing two frac-sand mines that they say are inundating their homes with dust, polluting their wells with sediment and driving down property values.

Wisconsin Public Radio reports that four separate lawsuits have been filed against Texas-based Hi-Crush Proppants’ facilities in Whitehall and Blair. The sites mine sand for use in the energy industry’s fracking process, which extracts oil and gas from rock.

The La Crosse attorney Tim Jacobson represents the landowners. He says neighbors are faced with dangers from living near the noisy and dirty environment.

The landowners are seeking monetary compensation, including a fund to provide medical testing and treatment, if needed.

Steve Bell, a Hi-Crush spokesman, says the company takes the environment seriously. Bell says Hi-Crush plans to fight the claims.

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