Concerns raised over rock quarry
Friday, September 23, 2005
By Marianne Love, Staff Writer
DUARTE -- A presentation this week by air quality experts on the effects of sand and gravel mining on public health quickly turned to concerns over expansion of a quarry on the Duarte-Azusa border. About two dozen of the estimated 150 people who attended the town-hall meeting at the Duarte Community Center on Wednesday said living near a pit is probably making them sick.
They told stories about their own respiratory ailments, or about family members and friends who have breathing difficulties.
They also said that unless the federal government steps in, the area will continue to be plagued with unhealthy air.
Since Aug. 20, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has monitored air quality based on a request from Duarte officials about Azusa Rock, a quarry owned by Vulcan Materials Co., on Duarte's border.
AQMD Executive Officer Barry Wallerstein said that measurements they collected in Duarte were below federal standards for PM10, or microscopic dust.
Wallerstein said weather elements change concentration results, so collections will continue for two years to get better comparisons.
Vulcan wants to mine an additional 80 acres at its 190-acre Azusa Rock quarry on Foothill Boulevard at Irwindale Avenue.
The company has a conditional use permit with Azusa to mine until 2038 as long as it remains in compliance. The permit is up for renewal in 2013.
On Tuesday, the company submitted an application to Azusa to expand 80 acres, which starts the formal process of an environmental impact report and public hearings and comment.
The Azusa City Council could be ruling on the application by late 2006.
"We take pride in Vulcan's commitment to safety, health and environmental stewardship. We have established effective programs and processes to fulfill our commitment, and we remain open to input from community residents, leaders and organizations, because we believe communication and collaboration lead to constructive solutions," said Vulcan spokeswoman Atisthan Roach, who attended Wednesday's meeting.
Citizens acknowledged that living close to two freeways is also a contributing factor to asthma and other lung diseases.
Others complained AQMD presenters didn't have all of the answers and needed more teeth to hold mining companies accountable.
"I came away with many questions. I challenge the AQMD to come back with more answers and a decision as to what they will do," said Duarte resident Ruby Shiroma. "I feel we are in danger of maybe contracting various lung and respiratory illnesses."
Duarte resident Ryan Nevins said that mining is a major health problem and unless the AQMD doesn't get out of the information-gathering mode, corporations will continue to use loopholes in the law.
"The AQMD is a regional leader ... but they need to get out there and push for the environment and not just react when something is illegal. They need to say that this data that their scientists have gathered is unimpeachable and something must be done about it," Nevins said.
There are 18 sand and gravel operations in the San Gabriel Valley, producing about 15 million tons of material per year.
Air quality officials are counting on two measures, adopted by the AQMD earlier this year, to reduce poor air quality when they kick in at the end of this year.
A second town hall meeting is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at Azusa City Hall. It will be conducted by Save Van Tassel, a citizens group formed to oppose the expansion of Azusa Rock.
-- Marianne Love can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2108, or by e-mail at marianne.love@sgvn.com.
All information and images provided by Save Our Canyon
(626) 629-8335
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