Aggregates Manager

March 2017

Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine

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by Therese Dunphy | Editor-in-Chief tdunphy@randallreilly.com 6 AGGREGATES MANAGER / March 2017 To keep up to date with news from the United States and Canada, visit www.AggMan.com for daily updates. STATE & PROVINCE NEWS CALIFORNIA Investigators are trying to learn more about a human skull dug up in Barstow quarry. According to the San Bernadino County Sun, a man told authorities that his dog had dug up the skull. At press time, the coroner's office was trying to identify the victim while investigators are exploring the events leading up to the individual's death. GEORGIA Despite the developer's contention that a new Douglasville quarry, to be located across the street from an existing quarry, would create economic benefits such as an estimated $7 million in property taxes over 20 years, council members unanimously voted to deny Georgia Stone Products' permit request. According to West Georgia Neighbor, the company went so far as to offer to buy homes near the proposed location. A local opposition group created a FaceBook page and orga- nized attendance to council meetings to counter the request. Former state representative Dennis Chandler also told local news media that the materials sold at the site, which were expected to be transported largely by train, would add to traffic congestion. CONNECTICUT CALIFORNIA A committee directed by the Westerly Town Council expects to receive a draft version of a proposed regulation aimed at regulating the local aggregates industry. The Westerly Sun reports that the committee has met with a consultant, Patri- cia Steere of Steere Engineering Inc., to provide an overview of goals for the regulation. Topics discussed include dust, noise, and the effects of blasting. The town planner noted concerns about blasting, comparing a blast that was well within required state guidelines to a scud missile. The com- mittee also discussed whether the new regulation could be applied to an existing operator. The Ojai City Council voted to appeal the Ventura County Planning Commission's decision to allow trucks from an area quarry to drive past a local high school, the Ventura County Star reports. City council is appealing the deci- sion to the County Board of Supervisors. The planning commission approved Mosler Rock Quarry's modified permit, which allows the existing quarry to operate for an estimated 30 additional years. It also removes a con- dition that prohibited loaded trucks from passing in front of Nordhoff High School between 8 and 9 a.m. ILLINOIS At Aggregates Manager's press time, a hearing was expected in Material Service Corp.'s lawsuit against La Grange Village. MySurburbanLife.com reports that the operator filed the lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court in July 2016 in order to stop construction of a pipeline that would drain into its Fed- eral Quarry. The village planned to construct a 54-inch storm sewer pipe that would run to quarry and then to McCook Ditch. A statement from Lehigh Hanson, Material Service Corp.'s parent company, notes that the volume of water that could be discharged into the quarry would threaten safety and "force the company to curtail its mining activities." The parent company also noted that it had communicated with the village on numerous occasions to determine a mutually agreeable solution, but was forced to file the suit after the village authorized construction on the project. MONTANA TThe Montana Department of Environmental Quality is taking public comments regarding Ventura Stone LLC's request to mine 10,012 acres at five sites in Cascade County, the Great Falls Tribune reports. The operator is seeking a permit to mine sandstone from the surface of out- crops and hills using an excavator or backhoe. One challenge the oper- ator faces is a guideline, issued in 2004, that quarry operations such as those it proposes be limited to 5 acres or less. The proposed operation has been reviewed and found to comply with the rules for a General Quarry Operating Permit, except the acreage rule. Public comments be- ing accepted would concern the draft environmental assessment. MISSOURI Conco Companies, parent company of Conco Quarries Inc., purchased Phenix Marble Co. last summer and quietly began production and mar- keting at the historic quarry. According to the Springfield News-Leader, marble from the quarry was selected to replace the south steps and terrace pavers at the Missouri Capitol building, where it also supplied stone during its construction in 1917. The operation was one of three approved to supply materials for the first phase of the $40 million res- toration project and the only one based in the state. NORTH CAROLINA At Aggregates Manager's press time, the Iredell County Board of Commissioners was preparing to vote on increasing set- backs for high-impact uses, including mining. According to the Statesville Record & Landmark, a potential new quarry in the area has drawn concern from a citizens' group which re- quested that current setbacks be amended. The group asked for setbacks of 1,500 feet from all property lines. Current setbacks are 200 feet from residential zoning, 100 feet from commercial zoning, and 50 feet from industrial zoning. The planning board unanimously voted to recommend setbacks of 300 feet. Prior to the vote, two commissioners toured Martin Marietta Materials' quarry to view day-to-day operations.

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