Press Release – March 13, 2015
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945
Patrick Jackson (302) 744-4046 or (302) 242-0036
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945
Patrick Jackson (302) 744-4046 or (302) 242-0036
McBride, Johnson call on DNREC to block crusher permit
Plans to operate a roving cement crushing operation in Minquadale should be blocked by state environmental officials, said Senate Majority Leader David McBride and State Rep. James “JJ” Johnson.
Last year, Diamond Materials LLC abandoned plans to seek permits to place a permanent crushing operation on the site at 200 Marsh Land and instead asked the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental to amend its exiting permit to operate a roving cement crusher at the site. That site, which borders a residential neighborhood, has been a source of contention between residents and the company for some time.
“Even the best crushing operations put fine particulate dust into the air that can aggravate a host of health conditions,” said McBride, D-Hawks Nest. “And the people are concerned that the operation on Marsh Lane will not be state-of-the-art when it comes to protecting their health. That’s why we’re counting on DNREC to do the right thing by the residents.”
The site in Minquadale has been used to dump more than 100,000 tons of concrete waste and it is littered with large piles of material that is awaiting destruction. However, a hearing officer for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is still mulling the permit request.
“The community made it crystal clear that they want this mess to stop festering next door to them and that it should be removed as soon as possible,” said Johnson, D-Jefferson Farms, who represents the area along with McBride. “We think Diamond Materials should be a good neighbor and do just that.”
McBride said residents were also concerned about noise pollution and water runoff from dust suppression spraying.
Typically, roving crushers are transported to construction sites where they are used to pulverize roadways or buildings. Although roving operations must receive permits before they can start up, state law does not specifically confine roving crusher operations to construction sites.
“That concrete surely came from various construction sites,” McBride said. “They had a roving permit; why didn’t they bring a machine in and crush it on location instead of piling it next to these homes? This may live within the letter of the law, but this type of gaming the system is an affront to spirit of the law.”
Last year, McBride and Johnson introduced legislation to deal with concrete crushers, but the effort stalled because other lawmakers though the conditions on his proposal were too stringent.
Should the permit be granted, the lawmakers said they would consider appealing to Environmental Appeals Board.
“The people of this area have suffered from any number of insults from their industrial neighbors over the years,” McBride said. “These are good, hard-working people and retirees who’ve earned some peace. I hope the hearing officer takes that into consideration.”
Last year, Diamond Materials LLC abandoned plans to seek permits to place a permanent crushing operation on the site at 200 Marsh Land and instead asked the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental to amend its exiting permit to operate a roving cement crusher at the site. That site, which borders a residential neighborhood, has been a source of contention between residents and the company for some time.
“Even the best crushing operations put fine particulate dust into the air that can aggravate a host of health conditions,” said McBride, D-Hawks Nest. “And the people are concerned that the operation on Marsh Lane will not be state-of-the-art when it comes to protecting their health. That’s why we’re counting on DNREC to do the right thing by the residents.”
The site in Minquadale has been used to dump more than 100,000 tons of concrete waste and it is littered with large piles of material that is awaiting destruction. However, a hearing officer for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is still mulling the permit request.
“The community made it crystal clear that they want this mess to stop festering next door to them and that it should be removed as soon as possible,” said Johnson, D-Jefferson Farms, who represents the area along with McBride. “We think Diamond Materials should be a good neighbor and do just that.”
McBride said residents were also concerned about noise pollution and water runoff from dust suppression spraying.
Typically, roving crushers are transported to construction sites where they are used to pulverize roadways or buildings. Although roving operations must receive permits before they can start up, state law does not specifically confine roving crusher operations to construction sites.
“That concrete surely came from various construction sites,” McBride said. “They had a roving permit; why didn’t they bring a machine in and crush it on location instead of piling it next to these homes? This may live within the letter of the law, but this type of gaming the system is an affront to spirit of the law.”
Last year, McBride and Johnson introduced legislation to deal with concrete crushers, but the effort stalled because other lawmakers though the conditions on his proposal were too stringent.
Should the permit be granted, the lawmakers said they would consider appealing to Environmental Appeals Board.
“The people of this area have suffered from any number of insults from their industrial neighbors over the years,” McBride said. “These are good, hard-working people and retirees who’ve earned some peace. I hope the hearing officer takes that into consideration.”
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Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov