PHOTO BY PAT CHRISTMAN, MANKATO FREE PRESS

This 300-acre plot of landthe former site of

two gravel minesis going to be developed
into a natural resource park by Mankato and
Blue Earth County.

Managing Local Gravel

Mines as Community Assets
BY RENEE MCGIVERN

hen Minnesotans think of our

wonderful natural resources,
its not likely that stone, sand,
and gravel come to mind. But our lack
of appreciation for aggregates makes
them no less beneficial than our lakes or
prairies. They are the foundation for every
road, bridge, and building we encounter,
and our resulting quality of life.
What are cities doing to effectively
manage this precious resource? How are
they balancing the needs of aggregate
producers and the community? Lets look
at a couple of cities for insight about the
successful oversight and reclamation of
what most of us simply call gravel pits.

Elk Rivers gravel district

If youve ever driven along Highway 169 near Elk River, then
youve passed through one of the largest
gravel mining areas in Minnesota. The
City of Elk River manages this 2,600-acre
gravel district and works with eight
aggregate producers that mine there.
Gravel mining has been going on here
for decades, and we see it as an asset,
says Kristin Mroz, the citys environmental technician. Theres a friendliness in
the community toward it because people
have grown up with it.
Each of the aggregate producers has
a unique conditional use permit (CUP)
that addresses specific community
concerns, like the hours they can mine
and haul gravel, blasting restrictions, and
what section is being mined.

Open communication

We expect them to communicate about any new level of

activity, environmental contamination,
and any changes they want for their
CUP, says Mroz. We also like to know
what theyre working on, so we get a
connection between our material and a
nearby project.
In fact, the most effective way to
balance mining needs and citizen concerns is through the CUP annual review
process, according to one of the aggregate
producers.
Residents can be there to ask questions, and we can sometimes adjust the
conditions of the permit to meet changing needs, says Ron Klinker, environmental and land development manager
for Knife River CorporationNorth
Central. We care very much about being
good neighbors and managing the mine
so that it can serve Elk River long after
were gone.

Gravel mine turned park

A different gravel mine scenario

is playing out in Blue Earth
County, and it illustrates how long-standing relationships between local governments and an aggregate producer can
open the door to a tremendous community asset.
Early in 2015, representatives from
Southern Minnesota Construction
(SMC), a division of Oldcastle Materials,
Inc., approached the county and the City
of Mankato about buying two properties
the company owned that included gravel
mines it operated there. The land has

FEATURE

sweeping views, ponds, a mining-made

lake, and lots of wildlife. It can be
developed into the areas largest natural
resource park.
The two dormant gravel pits and
surrounding land offer a lot of possibilities for a recreation area, says Terry
Overn, SMC aggregate permit agent. Ive
already seen our employees kayaking in
the summer and ice fishing in the winter
on the lake.
This natural resource park was first
discussed in the 1990s, but neither the
county nor the city was positioned to buy
or develop the land. Overn never forgot
those conversations as SMCs mining
operations ended and it began reclaiming
the land. Some 20 years later, he brought
up the idea again, but this time, Blue
Earth County and Mankato were ready.

City involvement

Although this new 300-acre

regional park is about three
miles southwest of Mankatos city limits,
the city wants to be a part of creating the
park for generations of local residents. It
wants to keep a close eye on the ponds
and lake within the park, too.
Our interest is not only the fact that its
right outside the city, but the surface waters
are directly linked to our aquifer, says
Mankato Community Development Director Paul Vogel. Its important to ensure the
municipal water supply is protected.
The city and county recently
approved plans to purchase, develop,
and manage the properties. SMC
offered to sell the land at a discounted
$225,000. The Department of Natural
Resources assisted with writing an
Outdoor Recreation Grant proposal to
offset some of the cost. Its likely that the
county and city will spend just under
$100,000 each.
It was our hope for years that our
land would become this wonderful
natural resource park for the people of
Blue Earth County, says Overn. We
couldnt be more pleased with how this is
all turning out. MC
Renee McGivern is communications strategist with
Aggregate & Ready Mix Association of Minnesota (www.
armofmn.com). Aggregate & Ready Mix Association of
Minnesota is a member of the LMC Business Leadership
Council (www.lmc.org/sponsors).

MINNESOTA CITIES |

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