Kane County watching state gravel mining bill
Kane County Forest Preserve commissioners said Friday they don't necessarily have a problem with a potential new state law prohibiting mining operations in preserves. However, they don't want to be shut out of owning or buying land that's been used for mining.
State Sen. Mike Noland's Senate Bill 2484 was spawned from recent consideration Kane County Forest Preserve commissioners gave to creating a gravel mine at the Brunner Forest Preserve in Dundee Township. That idea died after strong community opposition.
But as commissioners voted to spend money to buy stone and gravel for several pending projects on Friday, gravel mining became a topic once again.
District President John Hoscheit noted, tongue-in-cheek, that the district wouldn't have to spend such money if it had its own mine.
That started discussion of Noland's bill. Commissioner Mike Kenyon said his reading of Noland's proposal indicated it would be a bad deal for forest preserves. Kenyon noted that in his private business he recently made a couple hundred thousand dollars of profit from gravel mining and subsequent restoration of the land.
But Executive Director Monica Myers said the legislation doesn't have to be a bad thing as long as the law still allows forest preserves and government agencies to buy land that already has been mined. Such purchases allow forest preserve districts to turn gravel pits into recreational lakes and otherwise useful property for public enjoyment, she said.
Hoscheit said he wants the public to know commissioners have no intentions of going into the gravel mining business.
“We have just completed the information gathering from our regional community events where we collected public input on the preserves,” Hoscheit said. “We will have a plan coming forward for Brunner. It does not include gravel mining.”
Commissioners also announced the acquisition of a 13-acre parcel on Route 64 right on the border between St. Charles and Campton Hills. The land comes to the district as a donation from a bank. The district will pay the taxes on the land, and the bank gets a tax write-off.
The parcel is mostly flood plain, but Hoscheit said he's pleased to acquire land in a fairly picturesque area.
“We've had discussions in the past about acquiring this property, but it just wasn't high on the priority list,” Hoscheit said. “It's quality land. If it comes to us as a donation, I think it's worth it.”