Quarry's bid to grow brings protests from McConnells Mill fans
The blasting would infringe on park patrons and ecology, groups say.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A quarry's plan to expand would risk the geology of a nearby state park, according to civic and environmental groups.
Quality Aggregates Inc. has a permit to blast near McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County, but is limited to a 50-acre section more than 1,000 feet from the park boundary. The company is seeking a revision that would allow blasting on the remainder of the permit area, approximately 90 acres containing 7 million tons of limestone.
"It's frightening when you consider the geology of the park and the large overhanging rocks that can come tumbling down if they're dislodged by vibrations from the blasting," said Janet Verone, a member of Friends of McConnells Mill and the League of Women Voters of Lawrence County.
Bruce Hazen, president of Slippery Rock Streamkeepers, said the quarrying operation would cause dust that could choke rare plants and frighten birds nesting in what the Audubon Society listed as an Important Birding Area in 2001.
National landmark
The 2,546-acre park, about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh, was also named a National Natural Landmark in 1974 and a State Park Natural Area in 1998 because of its 400-foot-deep gorge, rock outcrops, old-growth forest areas and rare plants.
"People come here to experience and enjoy nature, and they can't do that if the quarry is producing dust, noise and blasting vibrations along a one mile border of the park," Hazen said. "The mining company has said it will issue warnings and close nearby park roads to protect visitors during blasting, but that's an infringement on park use."
The proposed blasting and quarrying area under review is 500 feet from the park boundary. State mining regulations require a 300-foot buffer.
"We've gone over and above what the regulations require to try to ensure there is no harm to the park," said Jeff Ankrom, Quality Aggregates' vice president of environmental operations.
One blast per day
He said the quarry, which employs 39 people on two 10-hour shifts, is permitted to set and shoot one blast a day, and that must occur between sunrise and 10 a.m. No blasting is allowed on weekends or holidays.
"We can't afford to damage anything in the park," Ankrom said. "That would be the end of our business here, so we are completely confident we won't damage anything in the park."
Karl Lasher, a spokesman for the Department of Environmental Protection, said the department had heard no complaints from the park or the public about the quarry's operation.
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