Wisconsin Producer Seeks Non-Metallic Mine License
Northern Sands Wisconsin LLC submitted a non-metallic mine license application to the Town of Howard, Wis., according to WEAU TV news. At a public meeting, there were statements made from those for, against and undecided on whether or not the mine would help or hurt Howard and surrounding areas.
President Tom Gapinske spoke before public comment saying he believes the mine will be beneficial for the area. Gapinske said the potential mine would be in a prime location due to the Canadian National Class 1 rail line that runs through the 1,300 acre site.
The company said the rail line provides access to adequate raw materials necessary to assure long term operations as well as to avoid trucking on public roads. It also said there are plans to include noise, air, and water quality monitoring locations.
Community members spoke about a change in living conditions including the level of noise and impact to the area’s scenic view. Northern Sands Wisconsin said it would address concerns more specifically at a future meeting.
Northern Sands said if approved it would take anywhere from a year to 15 months to begin operations at the mine.
California Developer Wants San Mine Permit Modification
Developer Bill Adams, a managing partner of El Monte Nature Preserve LLC, along with Ronald Blair and Richard Berlinger, are pushing back against community concerns for a sand mine they have planned for the El Monte Valley in Lakeside, Calif.
At a meeting, dozens of residents spoke about some of the major impacts they feared would result from the project – more traffic, increased noise and dust, and water pollution, among others.
The El Monte Valley property is currently zoned for sand extraction. Adams and his partners have asked the county for a major use permit modification and a reclamation plan for mining about 12.5 million tons of sand and gravel for a period of 12 years.
Adams told the San Diego Union-Tribune the plan is to turn the valley back into open space with a water pond, riparian habitat and recreational trails for walkers and equestrians. The company will replant, restore and re-vegetate after the sand mining activities, which are scheduled to be done in four phases on 228 acres of the site.
Texas Community Opposes Rock-Crushing Plant
According to the Community Impact Newspaper, concerned citizens armed with “agree” and “disagree” signs and adamant in their disapproval of a new quarry, packed the Lakeside Pavilion in Marble Falls, Texas, at an informational meeting about an incoming rock-crushing plant proposed by Spicewood Crushed Stone LLC.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is in the process of reviewing a standard air-quality permit for Dalrymple Construction Companies, the New York-based company planning the quarry, which would be located along Hwy. 71 between two residential neighborhoods.
Representatives from the TCEQ and Dalrymple took questions from attendees at the information-gathering meeting, but comments were not recorded as part of the application. Instead residents had the opportunity to submit official comments Thursday at a table TCEQ hosted
Pennsylvania Operation Fights for Crusher Approval
Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a public hearing designed to allow residents to get their thoughts on the record as the department weighs whether to approve a stationary rock crusher at a recently reopened quarry, according to 69 News.
DEP is considering approval of a 1,000-tph, non-metallic mineral processing plant at the site of the Hanson Quarry in East Rockhill Township. The proposed rock crusher, sought by Richard E. Pierson Materials Corp., is just one component of a larger series of events that has township residents angered and mobilized to do what they can to prevent operations at the quarry from returning to the township.
Residents raised concerns over emissions, air quality and environmental impacts they believe quarry operations could have on the surrounding community. Michael Logan of the environmental services firm Compliance Plus Services said the rock crushing plant will use state-of-the-art technology that will significantly reduce the environmental impacts the rock crusher could pose. He explained that a wet dust suppression system will use water to keep emissions to a minimum. Logan also noted that the rock crusher is powered by electricity rather than fuel and will also limit emissions.