Cemex Seeks to Build on New Braunfels Success
Cemex is seeking a permit under the federal Endangered Species Act that would allow it to expand its quarry operations into 199 wooded acres off Loop 337 in New Braunfels, Texas, which includes habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (the gold finch of Texas).
The tract of woodlands is located generally between the Estates at Stone Crossing subdivision off Loop 337, the Hunter’s Creek subdivision off Highway 46 and the Shadow Hills subdivision off Farm-to-Market Road 1863, according to the Herald Zeitung.
A long-standing non-annexation agreement between the City of New Braunfels and the massive $236.5 million, 3,300-acre Cemex operation along Wald Road has already been approved for another 15 years. The extension of the agreement inked in 1995 was unanimously approved by New Braunfels City Council.
Wyoming Quarry Project Approved
According to Sheriden Media, a request for a quarry permit from John E. Rice and Sons Inc., doing business as the Wrench Ranch, was approved by the Sheridan County, Wyo., Commission at a recent meeting. The 40-acre area in North Sheridan, Wyo., will be used to make crushed base and as a hot mix plant for the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s new North Sheridan Interchange project. Commission Chair Tom Ringley said that access to the quarry would be provided by two private gravel haul roads connecting directly to Interstate 90.
The permit is effective for four years and operations are permitted 24 hours a day and 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday.
California Quarry Voted Down
On a 3-2 vote, the San Luis Obispo, Calif., County Board of Supervisors rejected a Santa Margarita rock quarry proposal, making litigation the only route remaining for two longtime residents of the rural community to continue pursuing their mining plans, according to the Cal Coastal News.
Supervisors Bruce Gibson, Adam Hill and Frank Mecham voted against the quarry plan after a day-long hearing, while supervisors Debbie Arnold and Lynn Compton cast the two votes in favor of the project. Gibson said he was opposed to the project based on county staffs’ list of denial findings including noise, truck traffic and aesthetics.
Hill argued that state reports of an impending gravel shortage were untrue, while Mecham said he wanted to protect Santa Margarita from truck traffic.
The supervisors were voting on an appeal filed by project applicants Mike Cole and Steve Souza, who are seeking to build a 41-acre quarry.
South Carolina Quarry Approved
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) approved Winnsboro Crushed Stone LLC’s mine-operating permit application, according to the Herald Independent.
“Pursuant to Section 48-20-70 of the S.C. Mining Act, the Department has approved the requested application for a mine operating permit on April 22, 2015,” stated the DHEC in a released letter. “This decision is based on information submitted in the application, supplemental information requested and public comments.”
The DHEC reviewed concerns related to water supply, environmental impact, traffic flow, blasting effects, air quality and operating hours before approving the mine permit application.
Winnsboro Crushed Stone’s proposed quarry in Winnsboro, S.C., would affect 365.8 acres, include 139.5 acres of future reserves and include a 417.9 acre buffer area.
Casper Stolle Seeks Permit
A proposed mining area expansion at the Casper Stolle Quarry & Contracting Co., is under advisement by the St. Clair County, Ill., Zoning Board of Appeals, according to the Belleville News-Democrat.
Dupo, Ill.-based Casper Stolle, which is asking for permission to be able to expand its mining pit by approximately 65 acres, brought its expansion request to the county zoning board last month.
The mining company believes it would need to about 50 years to mine the 65 acres, depending on the economy, said company President Anne Cramer.
In total, Casper Stolle is asking for a special use permit to add 135 acres to its quarry. However, because of a county requirement to stay at least 1,000 ft. from houses, the actual mining area would be about 65 acres located to the south of Casper Stolle’s current operation.