Knife River applies for EPA permit for Corson site

Tom A. Savage

Contributing writer

In February, the Minnehaha County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Knife River to expand in Corson.

Knife River is a construction materials business that works a quarry site in Corson, west of Splitrock Boulevard (482nd Avenue) and north of Interstate 90. They are slowly phasing out their current site and moving to the south, closer to the town of Corson.

Because of their planned expansion, some tributaries to Split Rock Creek are scheduled to be disturbed. Knife River has applied for a 404 permit as part of the federal Environment Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act.

A 404 permit is required whenever a project requires dredged or fill material to be discharged into waters of the United States. Activities in waters of the United States regulated under this program include fill for development, water resource projects (such as dams and levees), infrastructure development (such as highways and airports) and mining projects. 

Essentially, any time a waterway is disturbed, whether that be to build a house, a gas station, or anything, a 404 permit from the EPA must be obtained.

“And that’s what we’re doing,” said Clark Meyer, Knife River’s South Dakota President. “We’re following all the rules and going through the process.”

Meyer said Knife River has an environmentalist team on staff that works on issues like the one in Corson.

“The environment is one of our core values,” he said. “We want to leave the world a better place than when we found it.”

The reason for the expansion and subsequent disturbing of the Split Rock Creek tributaries is because of a switch in material Knife River will be processing. For several years, they have been processing sand, but Meyer said now that the sand reserve is nearly depleted, they will begin processing quartzite.

Meyer said they’ve already been working with the Corps of Engineers, but continue to take public feedback. That feedback is part of the 404 permit process. Meyer said they encourage anyone to give their input on the Corps of Engineers website.

Patrick Andrews is Brandon’s Development Director, and also serves on the Brandon Development Board. He said he’s heard from a few Brandon residents about Knife River’s plans regarding the wetlands.

Because Knife River is located in Corson, the issue is out of Brandon’s jurisdiction. However, Brandon could potentially benefit from Knife River’s expansion as they will be forced to buy wetland bank credits to be used in the area.

A wetland bank credit is a system that allows for the restoration, creation, or enhancement of wetlands to compensate for unavoidable impacts to existing wetlands due to development or other activities. 

The Brandon Development Foundation is exploring the idea of developing the natural wetlands area west of Bethany Meadows on Brandon’s far east. Selling wetland bank credits would help pay for the $2 million project.

Wetland bank credits must be sold in proximity to where the impact of the waterway is located. Therefore, the Brandon Development Foundation’s project on the east side could be a beneficiary.

In the meantime, Meyer said they’re continuing the 404 permit process.

“We’re pretty transparent. We have everything publicly posted and it’s out there for anyone to read,” he said. “We’re following the rules and going through the process with the Corps of Engineers.”