Leaders on one county board say they want more time to think about approving future sand mines.

The Eau Claire County Board considers an ordinance that would put off allowing the building of sand mines in the county until next April.

With a greater interest in sand mining taking root in eastern Eau Claire County, County Board Member Bruce Willett says he wants a moratorium to put any construction of mines on hold.

“It could be dangerous at that point. Or it could produce a lot of jobs on the other side. But there's not a conflict between the two, and I wanted to emphasize this that the moratorium is not about the elimination of jobs, it makes it safer to operate,” says Willett.

If the moratorium passes, the decision on how to regulate sand mines would go to the highway department, planning and development and the health department. It would then come back to county board in 120 days to get a recommendation.

County board supervisors say there is an application in the works for a sand mine for this area outside of Augusta on Highway HH. And some in this area say this could be an added boost to this area of more jobs if the sand mines come.

“Mining could have a great deal of effect on eastern Eau Claire County,” says Supervisor Lee Adams, who represents Augusta, Otter Creek and Bridge Creek. “It's one oft he poorest areas of the county, and it would certainly be helpful job wise and tax wise for that portion of the county. There are some concerns. I've had a couple of constituents concerned about traffic and air pollution.”

But even those who live in the Augusta area and understand the impact it could make on jobs say they want to make sure sand mines will be done right the first time.

“It might be a good idea to put a deadline farther off so we can take a look at it, because I have heard that some of the counties wished they would have gone a little slower with what they're doing,” says Adams.

The county board hopes to make a decision on the moratorium at next Wednesday’s meeting.