November 2003 AGGMAN Geology

Part 3: Creating a Sustainable Future

Road trip highlights SARM — efficient aggregate use, resource conservation, and environmental protection

Since our new grandson Donovan was born, my wife Pam, dog Lucy, and I have greatly increased the frequency of trips from Littleton, Colo., to Scottsdale, Ariz. We call the route the “Donovan Expressway.” We have become familiar with most of the aggregate operations along the route and know when and where to expect almost every construction zone.
We were at milepost 576 (Gallup, N.M.) of the 908-mile road trip when the highway narrowed to one lane in each direction. The road was undergoing major reconstruction — old concrete bridge decks were being crushed at a portable plant on the side of the highway and a rotomill had turned old pavement into new base course. Pam, who was driving, slowed down and said, “When are they going to finish this construction. It will take forever to get to see Donovan.” I, who was gawking at the crushing equipment, replied, “But this is sustainable resource management in action!”
Reducing demand for newly mined aggregate — After we got to Scottsdale, I told Donovan what we had seen at milepost 576. I said that recycling is part of sustainable aggregate resource management (SARM) because it is one means to reduce the consumption of newly mined aggregate. It is also part of the larger sustainability issue because recycling aggregate instead of disposing of it helps reduce the amount of land utilized as landfills.
Near milepost 896 (near Phoenix, Ariz.) we noticed that nearby roads were being resurfaced with rubberized asphalt. I told Donovan that using substitutes for aggregate was another way to reduce the use of newly mined aggregate. It also uses crumb rubber from scrap tires that otherwise might end up in the trash heap.
I pointed out how organizations like the International Center for Aggregates Research conduct studies to determine methods to utilize fines in various highway applications, thus increasing the efficiency of aggregate use.
These three activities — recycling, substitutes, and increased efficiency — contribute to SARM by reducing consumption of newly mined aggregate.
Ensuring future aggregate supplies — Right down the street from our house at milepost 3 (Littleton, Colo.) we noticed that large deposits of high quality aggregate had been covered by urbanization. We also know that it is very difficult to obtain permits for new aggregate operations in the area. A key component of SARM is the identification and, if necessary, protection of potential supplies of aggregate resources.
Much of the area near the Donovan Expressway between milepost 608 (Houck, Ariz.) and milepost 705 (Winslow, Ariz.) suffers from a lack of potential sources of high quality aggregate, and most of the high-specification aggregate used in the area must be imported.
There is an aggregate operation near milepost 712 (near Flagstaff, Ariz.) that produces scoria (lightweight aggregate) from a volcanic cindercone. Some of that aggregate is shipped to Phoenix by trucks that backhaul normal weight aggregate to Flagstaff.
These activities — identification and protection of resources, use of imports, and efficient transportation — contribute to SARM by ensuring availability of future aggregate supplies.
Protecting and restoring the environment — At milepost 4 (Littleton, Colo.) there is a sand and gravel operation in its final stages of development. The pit faces are being shaped to their final reclaimed design and the berm that served to hide the pit from view is being processed into some of the last aggregate product that will ever leave the operation. The intense need for water in the Denver area has created a corresponding need for water storage areas. This hole that once contained gravel will, in the near future, contain water. The reclaimed pit will contribute to the larger sustainability issue by providing a means to better manage the area’s water resources.
At milepost 58 (near the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo.), the new owner is reclaiming a highly visible quarry notoriously referred to as the “Scar on the Mountain.” Part of the quarry lies adjacent to National Forest property and was quarried right to the property line. The new owner and the U.S. Forest Service entered into an agreement that allows the highwall to be laid back onto Forest Service land, a land-use decision that benefits the local residents and the thousands of motorists that pass the site every year.
At milepost 423 (near Albuquerque) an aggregate operation has created a xeriscape garden that demonstrates how its product, in combination with native plants, can create landscapes that conserve water resources in that arid region. That same operation employs best environmental management practices to prevent environmental damage. In all our trips, we have never seen a speck of dust leaving that operation.
These activities — protecting the environment and reclaiming aggregate operations in a manner that improves the quality of life, creates additional wealth, and restores or improves the environment — contributes to SARM.
Donovan giggled and smiled when I told him how all of the components that go into SARM — ensuring future supplies of aggregate, reducing the demand for newly mined aggregate, and protecting and restoring the environment — can be viewed along the Donovan Expressway. I did not have the heart to tell him that the components that go into SARM can also be seen along many other expressways. All you have to do is look for them.

William H. Langer is a geologist with the Mineral Resources Team of the U.S. Geological Survey.

November 2003 Carved in Stone Part 3: Creating a Sustainable Future				Part 3: Creating a Sustainable Future Road trip highlights SARM — efficient aggregate use, resource conservation, and environmental protection By Bill Langer Since our new grandson Donovan was born, my wife Pam, dog Lucy, and I have greatly increased the frequency of trips from Littleton, Colo., to Scottsdale, Ariz. We call the route the “Donovan Expressway.” We have become familiar with most of the aggregate operations along the route and know when and where to expect almost every construction zone. We were at milepost 576 (Gallup, N.M.) of the 908-mile road trip when the highway narrowed to one lane in each direction. The road was undergoing major reconstruction — old concrete bridge decks were being crushed at a portable plant on the side of the highway and a rotomill had turned old pavement into new base course. Pam, who was driving, slowed down and said, “When are they going to finish this construction. It will take forever to get to see Donovan.” I, who was gawking at the crushing equipment, replied, “But this is sustainable resource management in action!” Reducing demand for newly mined aggregate — After we got to Scottsdale, I told Donovan what we had seen at milepost 576. I said that recycling is part of sustainable aggregate resource management (SARM) because it is one means to reduce the consumption of newly mined aggregate. It is also part of the larger sustainability issue because recycling aggregate instead of disposing of it helps reduce the amount of land utilized as landfills. Near milepost 896 (near Phoenix, Ariz.) we noticed that nearby roads were being resurfaced with rubberized asphalt. I told Donovan that using substitutes for aggregate was another way to reduce the use of newly mined aggregate. It also uses crumb rubber from scrap tires that otherwise might end up in the trash heap. I pointed out how organizations like the International Center for Aggregates Research conduct studies to determine methods to utilize fines in various highway applications, thus increasing the efficiency of aggregate use. These three activities — recycling, substitutes, and increased efficiency — contribute to SARM by reducing consumption of newly mined aggregate. Ensuring future aggregate supplies — Right down the street from our house at milepost 3 (Littleton, Colo.) we noticed that large deposits of high quality aggregate had been covered by urbanization. We also know that it is very difficult to obtain permits for new aggregate operations in the area. A key component of SARM is the identification and, if necessary, protection of potential supplies of aggregate resources. Much of the area near the Donovan Expressway between milepost 608 (Houck, Ariz.) and milepost 705 (Winslow, Ariz.) suffers from a lack of potential sources of high quality aggregate, and most of the high-specification aggregate used in the area must be imported. There is an aggregate operation near milepost 712 (near Flagstaff, Ariz.) that produces scoria (lightweight aggregate) from a volcanic cindercone. Some of that aggregate is shipped to Phoenix by trucks that backhaul normal weight aggregate to Flagstaff. These activities — identification and protection of resources, use of imports, and efficient transportation — contribute to SARM by ensuring availability of future aggregate supplies. Protecting and restoring the environment — At milepost 4 (Littleton, Colo.) there is a sand and gravel operation in its final stages of development. The pit faces are being shaped to their final reclaimed design and the berm that served to hide the pit from view is being processed into some of the last aggregate product that will ever leave the operation. The intense need for water in the Denver area has created a corresponding need for water storage areas. This hole that once contained gravel will, in the near future, contain water. The reclaimed pit will contribute to the larger sustainability issue by providing a means to better manage the area’s water resources. At milepost 58 (near the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo.), the new owner is reclaiming a highly visible quarry notoriously referred to as the “Scar on the Mountain.” Part of the quarry lies adjacent to National Forest property and was quarried right to the property line. The new owner and the U.S. Forest Service entered into an agreement that allows the highwall to be laid back onto Forest Service land, a land-use decision that benefits the local residents and the thousands of motorists that pass the site every year. At milepost 423 (near Albuquerque) an aggregate operation has created a xeriscape garden that demonstrates how its product, in combination with native plants, can create landscapes that conserve water resources in that arid region. That same operation employs best environmental management practices to prevent environmental damage. In all our trips, we have never seen a speck of dust leaving that operation. These activities — protecting the environment and reclaiming aggregate operations in a manner that improves the quality of life, creates additional wealth, and restores or improves the environment — contributes to SARM. Donovan giggled and smiled when I told him how all of the components that go into SARM — ensuring future supplies of aggregate, reducing the demand for newly mined aggregate, and protecting and restoring the environment — can be viewed along the Donovan Expressway. I did not have the heart to tell him that the components that go into SARM can also be seen along many other expressways. All you have to do is look for them. William H. Langer is a geologist with the Mineral Resources Team of the U.S. Geological Survey.