Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85644
OPERAT 1 Make a Good Impression P lant appearance plays a leading role in community relations for most aggregate facility operations. Neigh- bors are certainly happier when an operation blends into the environ- ment and maintains an attractive entrance. And a helpful first step, one that can mean the difference in perception between being a good neighbor or not, is a site analysis. In fact, according to Lyndon Hart, prin- cipal at Hoehn Landscape Architec- ture, "If a site analysis is performed up front, most plant appearance issues will sort themselves out. "The site analysis identifies existing topography, vegetation, who your neighbors are, and what transportation systems are nearby," Hart continues. In a nutshell, the site analysis will help determine natural buffer and environmental opportu- nities, as well as where site compo- nents should be located, including buffers and screenings, the location of the processing plant, the loadout area, and the gate. Ken Caldwell, plant manager for TXI's Mill Creek Crushed Stone, agrees that an original analysis can help determine how a facility can best blend into its surroundings. Us- ing trees and vegetation that are local to the area will help the site stay vi- sually in sync with its surroundings. Paved entrances with local colors for signage also help. "And if you can manage to use existing vegetation, AGGREGATES MANAGER then you are that much more suc- cessful with blending your plant into the environment," he says. "We were lucky at Mill Creek (which opened in 2002) that our entrance has a lot of native oaks, birches, and cedars. We didn't have to do a lot of planting." According to Clif Morris, area manager for Tilcon New Jersey, if maintaining a natural look is the community's main concern, the producer could consider leaving 300 to 400 feet of original vegetation as a buffer. "Behind this area, you would want to place the seeded berms and pines. This will give the site and pit the 360-degree appearance of an undisturbed site," he says. Of course, if blending into the region isn't a high priority, Morris explains that fast-growing plants such as evergreens and bamboo can be used to improve entrances and buffers. "Evergreens are preferable because, in the fall, deciduous trees drop all of the noise, visibility, and dust protection to the ground along with the leaves," he says. "You definitely want to take advan- tage of what's out there," says Hart. "Strategically, you don't have to provide as much proposed screening by simply using what's already there naturally. This can mean something as obvious as taking advantage of trees that already exist along a bordering roadway, or using a stream system that's already onsite to main- tain a natural buffer." A high standard of housekeeping within the plant provides benefits for any producer. Some plants are located close to major highways, and shielding is not an option; rather, the site and the plant become the "front gate." In this case, the appearance of everything visible from the road must be maintained at the highest level, with well-kept and painted equipment, signage, and flawless dust control. Housekeep- ing also works to help make your operation transparent. A site analysis can provide answers about existing topography and vegetation, illustrate proximity to neighbors, identify neighbors in terms of residences and businesses, and pinpoint what transporta- tion systems are nearby. It can indicate how and show where to lo- cate the plant, loadout, roads, screens, and buffers. The site analysis also allows the producer to start planning early for reclamation so that it can tie in and work hand in hand with ongoing operations until the eventual closing of the mine. 4 Good housekeeping Site analysis is key