Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/93285
Province NEWS State & To keep up to date with this breakdown of news in the United States and Canada, visit www.AggMan.com for daily updates. by Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-Chief by Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-Chief ILLINOIS It seems to be one confl ict of interest after another as the Spring ARIZONA One size does not fi t all seems to be the message being put forth by U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake. "We can strike a balance here between protecting the environment and having economic development," he said during a meeting with local business leaders, "but we just need the federal government to cooperate." According to the Mohave Valley Daily News, Arizona and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have wrestled for years over how the Clean Air Act should apply to particu- late pollution in Maricopa County, which is out of compliance with federal standards, putt ing federal transportation funding in jeopardy. Th e Maricopa Association of Governments in 2007 developed a plan for reducing dust by 5 percent a year, but the EPA hasn't accepted it. "Th e EPA simply won't recognize that Phoenix is not Seatt le," Flake said. "Some air standards that apply in Seatt le might not work here." California Bay Village Board determines a solution for resolving ordinance violations at a former mine. According to The Peoria Journal Star, three of the six board members are related to Dwayne Atherton, the person proposing the solution, but the village authority has said they can vote on the issue as long as they don't have a fi nancial interest in the project. A fourth board member, however, cannot vote because he is being sued by Votorantim Cement North America, the gravel pit owner. And, the town attorney cannot represent that member because he represents the village. "This is more fun than the Olympics," said Spring Bay resident Bill Neises, who was part of the standing-room-only crowd at the meeting. Maryland The Fresno County Planning Commission approved a proposal from Gerawan Farming to mine an 886-acre mine, as well as construct an asphalt plant, in eastern Fresno County. The request was approved at a meeting held in a ballroom, rather than the regular meeting room, in order to accommodate the crowd of more than 100 residents. The Fresno Bee reports that commissioners cited the county's need for construction materials as grounds to permit the project, despite over- whelming opposition. State studies indicate that the region is falling far short of the necessary aggregate supply to meet its road and building needs. The most recent estimates from the Department of Conservation show that Fresno County has permitted mining for 71 million tons of aggregates, but will need 629 million tons over the next 50 years. The Carmelita mine is expected to produce 1.25 million tons per year annually throughout its 100-year life. Illinois 6 In late August, Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) was scheduled to visit Waldorf-based Chaney Enterprises, the state's largest family-owned and operated sand and gravel pro- ducer. Th e Baynet.com reports that Cardin toured a number of state businesses to highlight their success. Chaney Enterprises has 287 employees and is marking its 50th anniversary in business. Cardin is the chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommitt ee of the Environment and Public Works Committ ee and has expressed interest in mining reclamation and land management. Massachusetts In late July, Worcester Sand and Gravel was the site of the 11th annual truck show, sponsored by the Bay State chapter of the Antique Truck Club of America. According to the Telegram & Gazett e, most of the exhibitors used their truck as part of their livelihood. Exhibitor William Th ibeault III, who hauls asphalt in his truck, spent part of the day exhibiting the truck and the rest of it showing his family around. More than 170 vehicles took part in the show. It is the fourth year the Trott o family, owners of Worcester Sand and Gravel, has hosted the event. In early September, Mt. Carmel city offi cials accepted three bids for the city's annual road maintenance program. Th e Daily Republican Register notes that City Commissioner Joe Judge said the list of streets to be improved this year will be fi nalized in coming weeks. City offi cials also approved two bids from Mt. Carmel Sand and Gravel and one from Howell Paving to spend more than $173,000 on labor and materials throughout the fall to complete the program. AGGREGATES MANAGER October 2012