cheeky043
May 21st, 2005, 08:11 AM
A Scoping Meeting
A DEC Scoping meeting was held at the Bellevue firehall on May 17, 2005.
Residents were given a chance to air their concerns regarding a recent application by Buffalo Crushed Stone to change their location of 2 asphalt plants and their massive rock crusher.The quarry also wishes to blast an area of the mine which separates the EAST & WEST quarries. This area has been used for asphalt production and eventually according to the quarry reclamation plan, will be used for a park like setting when the 2 mines become lakes.
100 residents were in attendance. Many spoke while others applauded and supported the words of the speakers.
The general consensus in the room was "NO MORE EXPANSION"
Speaker after speaker told Buffalo Crushed Stone to finish up their business here and "GET OUT OF CHEEKTOWAGA"
Concerns voiced that evening include but are not limited to:
1) The New location of the rock crusher will be in direct proximity of residential homes. Dust is already an issue on cars and inside homes, this will increase with the move.
2) The re-location of the asphalt plants to the bottom of the East quarry 150 feet down will increase the chance of residents breathing in to their lungs emissions containing BENZENE, TOLUENE and other chemicals known to be harmful to humans.
3) This will negatively effect the towns master plan for the surrounding community, the town will be left with 1 large hole, there will be no seperation left in which to build a park or place homes in later years.
4) Concern was shared over the use of 1 large hole vs 2 lakes. The large hole may be used as a landfill or left to fill and become a smelling disaster.
5) Many health related issues were voiced.
6) Concern for the leaking "SCHULTZ LANDFILL", What will ground blasting do to the stability of this landfill? PCB's & PAH's have been identified just outside the landfill in high amounts. Will the severe earth tremors caused by "GROUND BLASTING" cause the landfill to shift and create addition seepage into our ground water and Cayuga Creek?
7) Should this request be handled as a NEW application rather then a modification to the old permit? Residents agreed that BCS should be made to assess the surrounding area as if it were starting a new business in the community. This would protect the residents.
8) Do they require a NEW speedeze permit which allows them to drain their mines into Cayuga Creek? This water will now be contaminated with Benzene & TOLUENE. Does the current permit allow these chemicals to be dumped into the creek?
9) Should they be allowed to sway from the original footprint for the mine?
10) Should BCS assess the economical value of modifying this mine vs enlarging one of the other mines they now own?
Any change in this mine will drastically effect the local community. Residents should send their concerns and recommendations for items to be added to the scoping document by June 3, 2005
SEND YOUR comments to:
Mr David Denk
DEC
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
A DEC Scoping meeting was held at the Bellevue firehall on May 17, 2005.
Residents were given a chance to air their concerns regarding a recent application by Buffalo Crushed Stone to change their location of 2 asphalt plants and their massive rock crusher.The quarry also wishes to blast an area of the mine which separates the EAST & WEST quarries. This area has been used for asphalt production and eventually according to the quarry reclamation plan, will be used for a park like setting when the 2 mines become lakes.
100 residents were in attendance. Many spoke while others applauded and supported the words of the speakers.
The general consensus in the room was "NO MORE EXPANSION"
Speaker after speaker told Buffalo Crushed Stone to finish up their business here and "GET OUT OF CHEEKTOWAGA"
Concerns voiced that evening include but are not limited to:
1) The New location of the rock crusher will be in direct proximity of residential homes. Dust is already an issue on cars and inside homes, this will increase with the move.
2) The re-location of the asphalt plants to the bottom of the East quarry 150 feet down will increase the chance of residents breathing in to their lungs emissions containing BENZENE, TOLUENE and other chemicals known to be harmful to humans.
3) This will negatively effect the towns master plan for the surrounding community, the town will be left with 1 large hole, there will be no seperation left in which to build a park or place homes in later years.
4) Concern was shared over the use of 1 large hole vs 2 lakes. The large hole may be used as a landfill or left to fill and become a smelling disaster.
5) Many health related issues were voiced.
6) Concern for the leaking "SCHULTZ LANDFILL", What will ground blasting do to the stability of this landfill? PCB's & PAH's have been identified just outside the landfill in high amounts. Will the severe earth tremors caused by "GROUND BLASTING" cause the landfill to shift and create addition seepage into our ground water and Cayuga Creek?
7) Should this request be handled as a NEW application rather then a modification to the old permit? Residents agreed that BCS should be made to assess the surrounding area as if it were starting a new business in the community. This would protect the residents.
8) Do they require a NEW speedeze permit which allows them to drain their mines into Cayuga Creek? This water will now be contaminated with Benzene & TOLUENE. Does the current permit allow these chemicals to be dumped into the creek?
9) Should they be allowed to sway from the original footprint for the mine?
10) Should BCS assess the economical value of modifying this mine vs enlarging one of the other mines they now own?
Any change in this mine will drastically effect the local community. Residents should send their concerns and recommendations for items to be added to the scoping document by June 3, 2005
SEND YOUR comments to:
Mr David Denk
DEC
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203