September 2001
U.S.
Bankcorp Piper Jaffray
(Download PDF)
State by State
Census Supplement Shows Commute Times are Increasing. Congestion trends should spark elected leaders to action.
CSR America, Moline Consumers Co. Unveil New Identities. What’s in a name? Better branding according to these two producers.
Studt Provides Guidance on the Tulloch Rule. Corps chief says vague definition of incidental fallback is the problem.
Democrats Contemplate Asbestos Regs. Senate leaders pontificate, but Lauriski says the Mine Act is enough.
A Fresh Perspective on Aggregate Industry Economics. A new editorial partnership enhances economic coverage of the market.
Compiled by Therese Dunphy
Alabama
Birmingham—An editorial in The Birmingham News promoted education
spending over highway spending, saying that “asphalt doesn’t
always equal economic development.” The editorial was written in
response to a proposed 320-mile freeway for western Alabama, where Census
data shows most of Alabama’s growth in the 1990s occurred not in
cities, but along major highways. The editorial writer admitted that the
$4-billion freeway from Muscle Shoals to Mobile would help draw industry,
spark small businesses and expand infrastructure in the Black Belt and
other counties with high jobless rate. “Yet the smoothest, widest
paved road through west Alabama won’t bring what’s really needed
to transform the region into an area where people have a brighter future,
with an abundance of higher-paying jobs and a better quality of life,”
the editorial said. “Better education at all levels, from kindergarten
to college, is the key.”
Alaska
Anchorage (AP)—Planes, trains and automobiles are proving to be a
tough combination in Anchorage where a new $28 million rail depot going
to the city’s airport is creating delays for travelers driving to
the airport. The Alaska Railroad passenger train crosses the main thoroughfare
to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. What was intended as a
time saving measure is actually costing additional time for motorists
who do not use the rail service. Local officials are considering running
the train only in the summer, at first, to target cruise ship passengers.
Arizona
Phoenix—Jurisdiction over the state’s aggregate operations was
the focus of a recent editorial in The Arizona Republic. According to
the newspaper, county control is the key to improving relationships between
members of local communities and the industry. The editorial writer said
that power should be transferred to local agencies “that have the
manpower and the local ties to effectively regulate pits.” The writer
also said that zoning laws should be changed to protect both groups by
establishing better buffers between residential areas and aggregate operations.
Arkansas
Little Rock(AP)—A $30 million improvements project at Little Rock’s
airport is expected to wrap up in about two months. A new three-level
parking deck will provide an additional 800 parking spaces. The baggage
claim area was also expanded. The airport is planning future improvements
projects, including work on runways and outer roads of the airport.
California
Santa Clarita—In late July, federal officials agreed to reconsider
the impact of Transit Mixed Concrete’s proposed 460-acre, 56 million-ton
reserve mine could have on the area’s environment, according to an
article in The Daily News of Los Angeles. In exchange, city officials
agreed to drop two lawsuits against the Federal Bureau of Land Management.
According to the newspaper, the action was prompted by the discovery of
the endangered Southwestern arroyo toad on the proposed site.
Colorado
Granite (AP)—A 71-year-old Salida man died after falling about 60
ft. into a mine shaft he was checking for safety. Edward Bradbury, a former
Chaffee County commissioner, fell down the shaft of the Yankee Blade Mine
on his property and died shortly after he was pulled out. Chaffee County
Undersheriff Norm Nyberg said Bradbury was checking the mine cover for
safety when he dropped a wrench and climbed into the shaft to retrieve
it. A platform gave way and Bradbury fell.
Connecticut
Portland—Reclamation plans at local quarries have incited strong
feelings in members of this New England community, according to The Hartford
Courant. The town is paying a landscape architect $50,000 to develop one
former quarry site—which it now owns—into a recreational tourist
attraction. On the outskirts of town, however, a quarry owner is locked
in a bitter dispute with neighbors over his reclamation plans.
Delaware
St. Georges (AP)—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has found itself
up the creek without a paddle in a situation involving a 4,209-ft. bridge
spanning the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. The Corps, which is repainting
the 59-year-old bridge to cover lead-based paint, would like to get rid
of it. Congress, however, has prohibited the use of federal funds to close
it or demolish it. The Corps has refused to claim ownership and maintenance
responsibilities for the neighboring bridge over Route 1, which opened
in 1995. State officials say that an agreement was in place when the Corps
assumed ownership of the canal in 1919, making it responsible for maintaining
“good and sufficient” crossings. The Corps has offered the bridge
to the state, which declined. “The state has always said no,”
said Ray Harbeson, chief engineer for the DOT. “Even if they give
you the bridge at no cost, the state would be setting itself up for heavy
costs in the future because of maintenance.”
Florida
Tavares—After a five-hour long hearing in late July, county commissioners
approved Tarmac America’s permit for a 240-acre project, according
to The Orlando Sentinel Tribune. A condition to the approval was that
the operation use highly treated waste water as its primary source of
water. The company will pay 11¢ for every 1,000 gallons to repay
Orange County’s cost to extend a reuse pipeline to its property.
Georgia
Gwinnett County—Gwinnett County residents support impact fees and
mass transit, but not smart growth elements such as dense urban development,
according to an article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A survey
of 600 registered voters was performed on behalf of the county’s
Growth Issues Steering Committee. Mixed-use zoning, an underlying principle
of smart growth, was viewed negatively by 54 percent of respondents. According
to the newspaper, residents were concerned about growth, but don’t
want it halted altogether. About 73 percent said that county officials
should control growth; 9 percent said nothing should be done; and 17 percent
said the county should stop growth. On the transportation front, 51 percent
said that mass transit is the best solution to traffic congestion; 24
percent support car and van pooling; and 20 percent believe the county
needs more roads.
Hawaii
Lahaina (AP)—The Maui County Cultural Resources Commission flatly
rejected a request from the county to amend language protecting a historic
bridge that would allow a central Maui road to be widened to ease future
traffic congestion. The commission also voted to write to the state DOT
with a list of questions and complaints about the state’s work on
its section of the historic Hana Highway. Commission members were upset
at what they described as the ugly emergency repairs to shore up a collapsed
section of roadway.
Idaho
Lewiston (AP)—Alchemy Ventures of Richmond, British Columbia, wants
to mine kaolin on state land, but the state Land Department officials
are asking for more information before allowing the project to begin.
Before the department will allow mining, the company must prove the deposits
are worth more than the timber on the land.
Wallace—Two miners were killed at Coeur Silver Valley
Inc.’s Galena mine on June 5, according to a preliminary accident
report from MSHA. Perry Stack, 47, and Wayne Brenner, 34, were using jack-leg
drills to bolt the back of the slope when a rock burst occurred. The rock
burst dropped material 6-8 ft. deep, 11 ft. wide and 10-12 ft. long in
the stope, fatally injuring both miners. Each had approximately 10 years
of mining experience.
Illinois
South Elgin—Faced with dust complaints from neighbors, Fox River
Stone Co. announced that it would form a community advisory council. According
to the Chicago Daily Herald, the producer also announced plans for an
open house which was scheduled for the end of August. “We’ve
been here a long time, and we want to be good neighbors,” Daniel
Foltyniewicz, risk manager, told the newspaper, adding that the operation
uses dust control measures to prevent dust problems.
Springfield (AP)—The state DOT has awarded a $7 million contract
to a company that will oversee the purchase of land for a new airport
south of Chicago. Hanson Engineers Inc. of Springfield will buy and manage
4,200 acres for the first phase of a proposed airport near the town of
Peotone. The state has allocated $45 million to buy land for the airport.
Indiana
Bloomington (AP)—During the summer, police here were cracking down
on trespassers sneaking into local quarries to swim. Area quarries have
had a long history of attracting illegal swimmers. That problem may be
due, in part, to the 1979 movie Breaking, which was filmed in Bloomington
and featured young actors swimming at a local quarry.
Iowa
Ames (AP)—The Story County Planning and Zoning Commission has decided
not to endorse an amendment that would have created a stricter mining
code. The proposed amendment to the county’s zoning law would have
required mines to be 1,000 ft. from all homes and residentially zoned
property. The commission unanimously rejected the amendment.
Kansas
Kansas City—Preliminary plans for a light rail system in Kansas City
are generating criticism from suburban communities. According to an editorial
in The Johnson County Sun, the $1 billion light rail system would only
serve 15,000 annual riders—or about 1 percent of the metropolitan
population. While the newspaper said that Kansas City has one of the worst
public transportation systems in the United States, the editorial writer
said that light rail was the wrong approach.
Kentucky
Frankfort (AP)—A biennial report from the state’s Environmental
Quality Commission said that it was making progress on 25 broad areas
while losing ground in 20 others. Water quality in the state’s public
lakes has declined, and the report said that while mining and dumping
of raw sewage were significant threats to water quality, agriculture is
the biggest contributor to problems in the state’s waterways. The
report also said that although air quality has improved, some areas may
not be able to meet stricter guidelines, such as those coming for ozone
and particulates.
Louisiana
Baton Rouge (AP)—The state Department of Transportation and Development
was given approval to hire a consultant to manage a special highway construction
program that voters approved in 1989 and is running behind schedule. The
Joint House-Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works
unanimously approved a request by department Secretary Kam Movassaghi
to solicit proposals from firms interested in running the $2.5 billion
Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development program for
the agency. Movassaghi said a firm could be hired in early January and
start managing the program by fall 2002. He said the finalists for the
job—as many as 10—will receive $50,000 each for the proposals
they submit, with the studies becoming the property of the agency to help
plan the program better “and for our own analysis.”
Maine
North Berwick—The town of North Berwick was fined more than $3,000
for illegally mining a gravel pit, according to the Portland Press Herald.
The town mines gravel from the pit, which it began leasing in 1988, for
road construction materials. A random inspection by state government officials
showed that no permits had ever been issued for mining at the site. The
town manager told the newspaper that it was “an oversight.”
Maryland
Douglas Point—Maryland Rock Industries Inc., which was denied permission
to operate a sand and gravel operation at Douglas Point, withdrew its
appeal of the decision. According to The Washington Post, the company
is continuing its appeal to the Charles County Board of Commissioners.
According to the report, county commissioners said the company’s
action would probably expedite its resolution because the commissioners
were not going to consider it until the court had made its decision.
Massachusetts
Hubbardston—Local government officials here want to meet with the
operators of a clay pit which, they say, is violating the terms of its
permit. According to the Telegram & Gazette, if a representative of
the operation—which is owned by The Roach Corp.—does not meet
with the area’s selectmen, the town will issue a cease and desist
order for the pit.
Michigan
Monroe (AP)—The Michigan Aeronautics Commission approved a $1.34
million grant for improvements at the Monroe Custer Airport. The money
will pay for most of the cost of a new taxiway and lighting. “It’s
a huge safety improvement,” said Jim Gotha, operator of the city-owned
airport. Gotha told The Monroe Evening News that he expects the bulk of
the construction to occur next year. The taxiway is part of a five-year
master plan for the airport that includes various improvements.
Minnesota
Minneapolis—Convinced that Minnesota’s severe traffic jams are
hurting its economy, the president of the Greater Minneapolis Chamber
of Commerce and Governor Jesse Ventura’s representative on the Major
Transportation Projects Commission, David Jennings, is now looking for
ways to raise $500 million more a year and reach a partisan consensus
on better and faster construction of roads, bridges and rail lines to
avert even worse congestion. According to the Pioneer Press, Jennings
envisions a streamlined construction process. He also wants new provisions
for acquiring right-of-way, running environmental assessments and overcoming
local obstacles. The commission, created by lawmakers last year to review
the state’s multi-million dollar transportation projects, eliminate
inessential ones and prioritize others, is expected to make its first
recommendations to the governor and the legislature by Sept. 30. Jennings
said the issue should be put on the agenda for 2002 elections to “at
least provoke a debate.”
Mississippi
Leakesville (AP)—Greene County will no longer be the missing link
in a four-lane highway system connecting the Gulf Coast to Tennessee.
One of the last sections of Phase 3 in the 1987 Four-Lane Highway Program,
which places a four-lane north/south road through Greene County, will
see construction begin soon. The new four-lane thoroughfare will connect
Highway 45 in Wayne County with Highway 63, which runs south into Jackson
County.
Missouri
St. Louis (AP)—A decision is expected soon on whether or not the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will require a full-scale environmental impact
study on a proposed cement plant. Holnam Inc. wants to build a $600 million
plant in Ste. Genevieve County, but several officials, including Gov.
Bob Holden, want a study on air quality first. A Corps spokesman said
that it will stick to the five-step regulatory oversight established by
federal law when making its decision on whether or not to require the
study.
Montana
Nye—A miner died June 5 at Stillwater Mining Co.’s operation
in Nye, according to a preliminary accident report from MSHA. Adam Viers,
27, had taken a loader to retrieve drill steel. The loader rolled down
an incline, and Viers was seriously injured when he tried to enter the
cab to stop the moving loader. He died of his injuries a day after the
accident. He had eight years of experience, four of which were at the
Stillwater mine. The same operation had a second fatality on June 14,
according to a separate preliminary accident report from MSHA. John Winninghoff,
56, was killed as he and another miner were setting up to bolt. The operator
of the LHD was sent for additional materials and, on his return, did not
see the victim kneeling in front of the drift. Winninghoff was struck
with the right front tire.
Nebraska
Lincoln (AP)—Good road design may be expensive, but it’s worth
it, the Nebraska Legislature’s research department deemed. In a recent
review, the Legislative Research Division determined the $10 million annual
cost of hiring outside engineering consultants to help the Department
of Roads design road projects is not excessive. The $10 million expense
is a third of the department’s annual engineering budget. The research
report said use of those consultants was “sensible and consistent
with the way consultants are used in other states.” Outside consultants,
the report said, are used for work that state staffers do not have the
time or expertise to address. The report is part of the Legislature’s
ongoing evaluation of state programs.
Nevada
Carson City (AP)—Time limits were the focus of arguments before the
Nevada Supreme Court as attorneys for the mining industry tried to revive
a major energy bill, which was approved after the scheduled adjournment
of the 2001 Legislature. About two dozen measures were approved an hour
after the session ended, including AB661, which would let major power
users, including mines, make their own deals for cheap electricity. At
press time, the court had not made a decision.
New Hampshire
Durham (AP)—Investigators are looking into a construction blast accident
which showered a neighborhood with chunks of granite in late July. No
one was injured, but some homes had close calls. Some residents said 30-
and 40-lb. rocks flew over trees and landed in their yards or driveways.
Durham Fire Chief Ronald O’Keefe called it a freak accident.
New Jersey
West Trenton—According to the New Jersey Concrete and Aggregate Association,
the state budget includes $35,000 for a “Wonder of Minerals”
education program. The association worked with Assemblyman Joe Malone
(R, LD-30) and Acting Governor Don DiFrancesco to get approval for the
grant money. “This funding will go a long way in helping to improve
the awareness of the sand, gravel and stone industry in New Jersey,”
said Bill Layton, executive director of the association. “The more
people understand and know the role these minerals play, the better they
will understand why we need to foster such operations that produce these
minerals.”
New Mexico
Ruidoso (AP)—The Lincoln County Commission passed a resolution calling
for a halt to construction work on U.S. 70 between Ruidoso Downs and Roswell,
citing lack of turn lanes and shoulder space. Peter Rahn, secretary of
the state Highway and Transportation Department, said the bonding authority
for the highway is about to expire and the move could jeopardize the $95
million project.
New York
Coeymans (AP)—A conveyor belt fire temporarily shut down the Lafarge
cement plant here. A 100-ft. section of belt caught fire after hot clinker
went on the conveyor before cooling down. A cooling system failed to lower
its temperature. A team of 80 firefighters put out the blaze in under
two hours.
North Carolina
Raleigh—Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. announced the purchase of
the stock of Sha-Neva Inc. and related companies, of Reno, Nev. Martin
Marietta acquired two quarries and a sand operation in the Reno area and
a quarry in Truckee, Calif. The company produces about 1.3 million tons
annually and has mineral reserves exceeding 130 million tons. The purchase
price was not disclosed.
North Dakota
Bismarck (AP)—Knife River Corp. acquired West Hawaii Concrete in
mid-July. West Hawaii Concrete has annual revenues in excess of $20 million.
“By adding this company, we are gaining a well-established construction
materials company on the largest island in the state of Hawaii,”
said Terry Hildestad, president of Knife River.
Ohio
Twinsburg—According to The Plain Dealer, Independence Excavating
Inc. is suing the city of Twinsburg, alleging that the city’s prohibition
against strip mining is unconstitutional. The lawsuit requests a conditional
use permit to allow the company to mine sandstone. The prohibition against
mining is in the city’s Unified Development Code, an updated version
of its zoning regulations. According to the newspaper, voters in three
of the city’s five wards passed the measure last November, including
the ward where the producer was mining.
Oklahoma
Atoka (AP)—Opponents of a proposed turnpike in southeastern Oklahoma
are planning to circulate a petition and distribute fliers critical of
the toll road plan. A group of about 100 Atoka residents have formed the
Eastern Oklahoma Transportation Authority, Inc. and have raised about
$2,300 to fight a plan to convert U.S. 69 into a turnpike. A state DOT
study said the projected cost of the turnpike would be $450 million and
that it would take several years for the turnpike to become self supporting.
Oregon
Mulino—Neighbors of a proposed 90-acre aggregate mine voiced their
opposition at a county planning meeting, but county planners have recommended
approval, with some conditions, according to The Oregonian. While traffic
was a concern cited by members of the community, the Oregon Department
of Transportation said that the local transportation system can adequately
handle an increase in truck traffic due to the operation.
Pennsylvania
Lower Mt. Bethel Twp.—In July, 13 people from New Jersey were charged
with swimming illegally in an Eastern Industries quarry. Criminal trespass
charges were filed on all 13.
Washington (AP)—During the last 10 years, Pennsylvania officials
had a two-word solution when they needed help in getting transportation
money: See Bud. However, since Bud Shuster retired his Congressional seat
and chairmanship of the Transportation Committee, the House has cut funding
to some state projects. Some state officials say the full impact of his
absence may not be known until Congress rewrites the transportation spending
bill in 2003. “We were well taken care of by the funding formulas
and the specific projects that were approved,” said Pennsylvania
DOT spokesman Richard Kirkpatrick. “It will be a challenge to match
that again.”
Rhode Island
Providence (AP)—Preparations are under way for a two-year repair
project on the city’s Washington Bridge that will require the closing
of an entrance ramp. The repairs will cost between $3 million and $4 million,
while early estimates of the cost of building a new bridge are about $75
million. The state had hoped to use about $16 million in federal funds
to repair the bridge and keep it open for another 20 years. However, tests
found the concrete is crumbling, and new federal regulations requiring
higher standards to withstand earthquakes would have made repairs too
costly.
South Carolina
Charleston—According to The Post and Courier, Lafarge S.A.’s
acquisition of Blue Circle Industries PLC sparked little fanfare at former
Blue Circle operations in Charleston and Harleyville. The newspaper reported
that the two companies planned a 100-day integration period and would
make recommendations on how the new corporation would operate.
South Dakota
Custer (AP)—A Custer mining company is slated to get a $147,000 loan
from the state to expand operations and possibly move a milling plant
out of the city. But not everyone is thrilled with Pacer Corp. getting
the loan. Some neighbors objected to the state lending money to a company
before its permit was renewed. In fact, more than 100 residents have signed
petitions opposing the renewal. A hearing on the matter is expected to
take place this month.
Tennessee
Memphis—County supervisors approved Memphis Sand & Gravel Co.’s
permit request to open a sand and gravel pit. The company will begin using
the new pit to support its existing operation, which is about 33 miles
away. It has had the county’s authority to use the new site for eight
years, but didn’t pursue opening the new site until the demand for
sand and gravel dictated the need for it. According to The Commercial
Appeal, the supervisors did ask for the speed limit on the access road
to be reduced from 20 mph to 15 mph and asked for flashing yellow lights
to be installed at various intersections.
Texas
El Paso (AP)—Neighbors of Jobe Concrete Products are blaming the
company’s quarry for respiratory conditions and a citizens group,
Quality of Life El Paso, has gone as far as filing lawsuits. City and
county leaders investigated the complaints but then dropped the issue.
“My office has spent an enormous amount of time investigating two
or three complaints,” said County Attorney Jose Rodriguez. “We
did not have enough evidence to present a case in court.” The Texas
Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) also looked into the
situation and said that, with a few exceptions, the company has complied
with appropriate rules and regulations. The citizens group said it plans
to proceed with a federal lawsuit that will claim Jobe Concrete did not
report emissions that would require it to apply for a permit for plants
that emit 100 tons or more of pollutants per year. While an earlier TNRCC
report said that the plant, if fully operational, could emit more than
236 tons per year of air pollution, Jobe Concrete contracted an engineering
firm that said it has the potential to emit 78 tons of emissions per year—below
the 100-ton threshold.
Utah
Ogden (AP)—Some Utah motorists are prepared to pay to avoid traffic.
About 500 a day are using the Adams Avenue Parkway, the state’s only
toll road. For $1, they are shaving 10 to 20 minutes from their commutes,
according to toll road owner and developer Bruce Stephens. The 0.8 mile
road, which was privately built with state support, opened June 27. To
break even, the toll road needs about 1,500 vehicles per day, a goal Stephens
said he hopes to reach within a year. The Utah DOT, which gave a $2 million
loan to build the $8.9 million road, sees the new road as an experiment.
Vermont
Rochester (AP)—The owners of a Rochester marble quarry have appealed
an Environmental Board decision that would require the quarry to get an
Act 250 land-use permit. Vermont Verde Antique International was informed
last year by the District 3 Environmental Commission that it requires
the permit. Businesses established before Act 250 came into effect usually
don’t need the land-use permits. But Assistant District Coordinator
Patrick M. Dakin issued a jurisdictional opinion that the quarry had changed
substantially over the years and, therefore, an Act 250 permit was now
required. Among other things, he said the quarry’s extraction rates
had increased significantly. The quarry appealed Dakin’s decision
to the Environmental Board, which ruled against the company in February.
John Hansen, the quarry’s lawyer, argued in his 36-page brief to
the court that the Environmental Board exceeded its authority when it
gave district coordinators the authority to issue jurisdictional opinions
on their own initiative. In other words, Hansen said, no party had requested
that an opinion be issued. As of late July, the state had not filed a
response with the court. The quarry has appealed the decision to the Vermont
Supreme Court.
Virginia
Richmond (AP)—Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Warner said
that the state should dedicate $40 million a year to protect its open
spaces and slow suburban sprawl. A $6.2 million proposal for land conservation
spending died in the legislature’s unprecedented budget impasse.
Warner said that Virginia is falling behind other East Coast states such
as Florida and New Jersey, which spend $300 million and $100 million,
respectively, on open spaces.
Washington
Maury Island—Community activists criticized Glacier Northwest and
its parent company, Taiheiyo Cement, for sand and gravel mining on Maury
Island. In a letter to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, activist Sharon
Nelson claimed that the operation endangered the area’s fishing industry.
She also claimed that the topsoil at the site is contaminated with lead
and arsenic and that using it to build berms around the operation would
lead to a costly cleanup operation. She urged local leaders to deny Glacier
Cement’s request for expansion.
West Virginia
Charleston (AP)—A state appeals board upheld the Department of Environmental
Protection’s decision to renew a limestone quarry permit in Pendleton
County. The state Surface Mine Board heard arguments this week on two
appeals filed over the DEP’s renewal of Greer Limestone’s five-year
permit in Germany Valley. The board did include some reporting requirements
from Greer and said that a 100-ft. buffer zone between the quarry and
a scenic county road must be left undisturbed.
Wisconsin
Madison—In mid-July, a man drowned while swimming with friends in
a water-filled gravel pit. The man was swimming with several friends in
the Nelson gravel pit, which is on private property and was posted for
no trespassing.
Wyoming
Laramie (AP)—Workers are expected to complete a highway bridge construction
project on deadline, Oct. 15. Since 1999, workers have been improving
the Interstate 80 bridges that carry traffic over U.S. 287. Last year,
crews rebuilt the ramps at the interchange and the eastbound lane of the
interstate. One bridge, the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge, is 75 percent
completed. “Right now we are getting near the end of the job altogether,”
said Greg Milburn, project engineer. The project includes areas east of
the Laramie River Bridge to just west of the 15th Street overpass.