Missouri activists say water permit issued for Ste. Genevieve silica mine will allow pollution

Environmentalists have asked the state Administrative Hearing Commission to overturn a water permit for a silica mine in Ste. Genevieve. Residents and environmentalists say the permit would allow the mine to release contaminants in the local water supply.
Environmental groups are challenging a Missouri Department of Natural Resources decision to issue a water permit to a silica mine in Ste. Genevieve.

The department issued a water permit for NexGen Silica in December. In an appeal of the decision to the state Administrative Hearing Commission, the Sierra Club, Friends of Hawn and Operation Sand said the Department of Natural Resources should not have approved a water permit for NexGen Silica without a public hearing. Environmentalists have asked the commission to overturn the permit.

The groups also claim the mine would pollute water and contaminate nearby natural resources.