Mineral Extraction

Non-metallic mining in Sauk County is regulated by the Planning and Zoning Department and, depending on activities, the Department of Natural Resources.

Non-metallic mining is defined as operations or activities at a nonmetallic mining site for the extraction from the earth of mineral aggregates or nonmetallic minerals for sale or use by the operator. Nonmetallic mining includes use of mining equipment or techniques to remove materials from the in-place nonmetallic mineral deposit, including drilling and blasting, as well as associated activities such as excavation, grading and dredging. Nonmetallic mining does not include the removal of materials such as commercial sod, agricultural crops, ornamental or garden plants, forest products, or plant nursery stock.

Nonmetallic mining also includes processes carried out at a nonmetallic mining site that are related to the preparation or processing of the mineral aggregates or nonmetallic minerals obtained from the site. These processes include, but are not limited to stockpiling of materials, blending mineral aggregates or nonmetallic minerals with other mineral aggregates or nonmetallic minerals, blasting, grading, crushing, screening, scalping and dewatering.

Can I Have a Mine/Mineral Extraction Activities in my zoning district?

Mineral extraction activities are allowed in the Agricultural District with a Board of Adjustment approval and a "Short Term" mineral extraction activity is allowed in the Agricultural, Exclusive Agricultural, Resource Conservancy 5 and Resource Conservancy 35 Districts with a land use permit from the Planning & Zoning Office.

Per Chapter 7 (see link below), Sauk County Code of Ordinances, Section 7.05(2)(j) and (k)(19).

In an Agricultural Zoning District, per county code, mineral extraction activities that include the commercial excavation, mining or removal of nonmetallic minerals, quarrying of sand, gravel crushed or broken stone. After receiving a Special Exception Permit from the Sauk County Board of Adjustment, the owner must provide, management data, site information, leaseholders and other property interests and information on those involved in the control of the proposed operation, an operations plan data, which includes:

• A timetable for the commencement and cessation of mining operations and if seasonal operations are intended, the months of operation shall be identified.
• Estimated quantity in tons per year to be extracted shall be specified by phase.
• The anticipated number of years of operation.
• Proposed location, acreage and depth of intended operation.
• Proposed location of mineral extraction site, waste dumps, tailing ponds, sediment basins, stockpiles, structures, roads, railroad lines, utilities, or other permanent or temporary facilities used in the mining process.
• A description of the extraction and processing procedures, phasing and equipment to be used.
• A description of operating hours, days of operation, blasting and crushing hours as well as hauling hours.
• Proposed plan shall include the effect of the operation on the quality and quantity of groundwater.
• Surface drainage of the property.
• Location and names of all streams, roads, railroads, utility lines, and pipelines on or adjacent to the proposed site.
• A description of the surface land use and vegetation, including all pertinent physical characteristics, of the extraction site and adjacent properties including agricultural, archaeological, historical and educational features.
• A description of the measures to be taken to control dust, noise and vibration.
• A description of the plans for topsoil salvage and storage. Topsoil is the upper part of the soil, which is the most favorable for plant growth.
• The mode and primary travel routes to be used to transport the extracted material for processing or markets away from the property.
• A description of measures to be taken to screen the operation from view, where necessary and practical.
• Identify all state and/or federal permits required for the proposed operation.
• A description of safety measures to be utilized on-site relative to fencing, signing, etc.
• All maps are to be at a scale of 1" = 100' or appropriate scale for the site.

In an Exclusive Agricultural Zoning District, Resource Conservancy 35 and Resource Conservancy 5 Zoning Districts, per county code (7.05B(15)), limited, short term nonmetallic extraction may be permitted by the Planning and Zoning Office after an operational plan, reclamation plan and ownership/management data has been submitted and approved in writing by the Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee as specified in Sections 7.05(2)(k)19a, b, and c. Limited short term mineral extraction shall be considered as those operations which will not involve any blasting for aggregage removal and will be commenced and completed within twelve (12) months from the date of permit issuance and will be limited to not more than five (5) acres in an area. Upon completion of the project, the contractor and/or subcontractor shall within a 60 day period or at a time deemed appropriate by the Planning and Zoning Office complete and comply with the reclamation plan as submitted. The planning and zoning office shall notify the local municipality(ies) in which the activity is proposed as well as adjoining landowners when a permit application for a short term mineral extraction activity is proposed. Prior to the issuance of a mineral extraction permit a performance bond shall be provided for each site in the amount of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) minimum, or one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) per acre, whichever is greater or substitute guarantee in the form of pledged collateral.

Included with each mineral extraction site, whether it be a quarry operation/mine or a short term site, owner(s)/operator(s) of the site must submit a reclamation plan that meets the requirement of Section NR 135.19, Wisconsin Administrative Code  (see link below).

Reclamation Activities:
The following shows activities of reclamation project at the "Narrows" quarry site currently owned by The Kraemer Company of Plain, WI. The Kraemer Co. representatives worked with Sauk County Planning and Zoning and Jessica Jens, of the Sauk County UW Extension Office and local school aged children and adult volunteers to reclaim part of the mine back to natural prairie. For more information on this site and the reclamation activites, please contact Gina Templin or Steve Sorenson.