DNR completes aggregate resources mapping for Kanabec County

(Released January 26, 2012)

Landowners, county staff and citizens interested in the sand and gravel resources of Kanabec County are invited to an open house hosted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in lower level Conference Room 3 at the Kanabec County Courthouse.

“The Kanabec County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution requesting the DNR to map the county’s construction aggregate resources,” said Dennis Martin, the DNR’s mineral-potential manager. “Having locally available, low-cost sources for these materials is fundamental to providing building materials, maintaining public infrastructure and encouraging private sector development.”

To maintain local supplies of aggregate, the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation in 1984 directing the DNR to identify and classify the state’s construction aggregate resources outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The DNR also is required to distribute this information to both the public and to local and regional planners. The data provides general information and assists communities in making land-use and permitting decisions relating to aggregate resources.

On the same day as the open house, the sand and gravel resource map will be presented at the Kanabec County Board of Commissioner’s meeting. This will mark the official public release of that data. DNR Project Manager Hannah Friedrich will be present at both meetings to discuss the mapping results and answer questions related to the aggregate resources.

Available information includes a map showing the distribution of aggregate resources and a CD-ROM containing digital datasets with a digital version of the map. When the final data is released, the information can be accessed four ways:

  • View digital maps and other information online at any time.
  • Interactively view information online with Aggregate Mapper.
  • View the aggregate map at public libraries in Kanabec County.
  • Request paper copies and or a CD from Hannah Friedrich, DNR Lands and Minerals, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4045; 651-259-5953; Hannah.friedrich@state.mn.us.