Vulcan mining site emissions to be logged
Monday, July 04, 2005
DUARTE -- Installation will begin today on a monitoring station to measure emissions from the Vulcan mining site in Azusa. The PM10 monitoring station will be installed by the South Coast Air Quality Monitoring District on the campus of Royal Oaks Elementary School, 2499 Royal Oaks Drive in Duarte.
The Duarte City Council, concerned about current and potentially increasing dust emissions from the mining site, requested the installation. It's expected construction of the station will be completed by the end of the month.
"We're pleased that the AQMD has so rapidly responded to the shared concerns of our residents, the council and staff," said Duarte Mayor Margaret Finlay.
"It's critical to monitor the particulates in the air we breathe so that we can measure the impact of these airborne pollutants on the health of our citizens," she said.
Vulcan Mining Company officials want to expand mining operations by 80 acres in the foothills above Azusa and Duarte.
Steve C. Cortner, vice president of resources, said the company plans to submit an application for a conditional-use permit and a development agreement on the proposed expansion to Azusa officials this month.
The Royal Oaks campus was selected as the site of the monitoring station based on weather patterns and air flow. Potential emissions can be measured as they flow from the northeast at Vulcan into Duarte.
AQMD officials expect to operate the station for up to a year if the Vulcan expansion is approved. The station will sample microscopic dust particles less than 10 microns in size emitted from rock mining and related operations at the Vulcan site.
Aggregate and cement operations similar to Vulcan's have been identified as sources of the particulates, known as PM10 emissions, that must comply with federal standards by next year.
Samples will be collected on a set schedule and analyzed using a data comparison to other PM10 sampling sites. The AQMD will provide Duarte officials with quarterly statistics beginning about four months after the station begins operating. The city will make the results public.
AQMD officials are also interested in hearing from Duarte residents about dust problems. Residents may call (626) 288-7664, where they will be asked for their name, address, location, the nature of the problem and the alleged source. Anonymous complaints also will be accepted.
-- Emanuel Parker can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4475, or by e-mail at emanuel.parker@sgvn.com.
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