McHenry County Faces Growing Sand & Gravel Mine Saturation Concerns

FOIA records obtained from McHenry County reveal a growing pattern of gravel extraction expansion, land consolidation, and mining saturation across the County. Tax Parcel Inventories tied to gravel and mineral extraction show that a small number of companies control thousands of acres through long-term land banking strategies, often holding land far beyond currently active excavation areas.

Critics argue that many large extraction operations are intentionally fragmented into multiple parcels, making cumulative environmental impacts harder for the public and regulators to evaluate. Comparing records from 2005 through 2025 shows the same core mining locations repeatedly expanding through additional parcel acquisitions, rising assessed values, and enlarged extraction footprints.

McHenry County currently contains approximately 22 mining sites involving more than an estimated 5,000 acres tied to extraction activity. Opponents warn this is no longer about a single mine proposal. Concerns include cumulative groundwater drawdown, silica dust exposure, increased truck traffic corridors, and industrial overconcentration in rural communities.

FOIA records show McHenry County may have fewer mining sites today than in 2000 — but much larger extraction acreage. Existing pits are expanding through land banking, parcel consolidation, and new approvals. The “150 acres per year” trend reflects growing mining footprints, not necessarily more mines. Three additional proposals — Spring Grove, City of McHenry, and Woodstock — could further accelerate this trend.

To learn more, visit Aquifers Over Aggregates at NoPit-McHenry.org.

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