The Iowa Policy Project recently released a policy brief titled, “Digging Deeper on Frac Sand Mining: Industry Presents Water, Tourism Issues in NE Iowa.” The paper is written by URP graduate student Aaron Kline and David Osterberg, Founder, Researcher and Former Director of the Iowa Policy Project.

This report examines the short history of frac sand mining in the northern Midwest's sandstone deposits highlighting the community concern associated with this mining. Further, it outlines the potential negative water quantity and quality impacts of frac sand mining in Northeast Iowa's unique "Driftless Area," which contains environmental characteristics warranting special precautions such as trout streams and karst geology. The authors warn of potential negative long-term impacts to the local economy due to frac sand mining and caution local officials and community members to be aware of these potential effect.