People worldwide oppose proposals for the development of new quarries or the expansion of existing facilities in their neighborhoods. The opposition is understandable.
Operators of pits and quarries remove virtually all vegetation, topsoil and subsoil to access the resource. In so doing, they remove any natural habitat that may have been on site, and disrupt pre-existing stream flows . . . The extraction of aggregate resources changes the slope of the land and alters water drainage patterns . . . Once the aggregate is extracted . . . water storage capacity is lost. Aggregate operations . . . are characterized by the release of significant amounts of particular matter (i.e. dust) and noise pollution from extraction and processing activities as well as smog precursors and greenhouse gases from the operation of heavy equipment and machinery. The heavy truck traffic to and from aggregate sites is often a serious
hazard and nuisance affecting people over wider areas, and is a significant source of air pollution itself. --Pembina Institute, 2005
Help us fight for Lower Milford Township.
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The Zoning Board Hearings regarding the application to build a quarry at West Mill Hil has been postponed until there is a resolution of the appeal of the Commonwealth Court of the Planning Commision decision. The Township has appealed the decision and LMRA has joined in the appeal. Since the decision has a important influence on how both parties will proceed, it was agreed to wait to see what the outcome will be before proceeding.
Geryville Materials won an appeal after 15 losses in 9 years (with no prior wins). The Commonwealth Courts of Pennsylvania overturned the Planning Commission’s and Court of Common Pleas Lehigh County’s decisions regarding their 2009 land development plan. While the court decision is extremely disappointing for us, we need to look at it in perspective. On the surface, Geryville has won this appeal. But this is not the whole story, nor is it where the story ends. The Township and the LMRA have been successfully fighting this zoning battle for the past 9 years. While Geryville wants to make it appear that they have won. THEY HAVE NOT. This decision DOES NOT mean the quarry is automatically approved and Geryville will begin blasting and digging. Geryville must first get zoning approval for the development. This has not happened. Their 2004 zoning application was denied, and the 2009 zoning application is still in hearings. Additionally, the Township has the right to appeal the Commonwealth Courts decision regarding the PC ruling reversal. We need to remain diligent and strong. The LMRA will continue to fight and do what is right for all citizens of Lower Milford Township.
You membership helps pay for our legal defense. Also, strong community support is notice to Geryville Materials that we will not permit destruction of our Township.
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