History of Nonmetallic Mining

Glacial deposits of sand and gravel and lowland deposits of peat provide for a widespread and diverse nonmetallic mining industry in Washington County. More than a dozen mines in the county provide aggregate (sand, gravel, crushed stone etc.) for construction, road building and maintenance and agricultural uses. A smaller number of sites mine peat for horticulture and landscaping.

Long standing concerns over safety and land use issues related to abandoned mining sites were addressed in 1993 when the state legislature adopted Chapter 295 of the Wisconsin State Statutes. This statute required the Department of Natural Resources to establish rules to implement the nonmetallic mining reclamation program. The WDNR completed those rules (Chapter NR 135, Wis. Administrative Code) in the fall of 2000 and revised the rule in the fall of 2006.

Nonmetallic Mining - Permit & Ordinance Page