Oregon

Oregon officials gave Ross Island a clean bill of health. According to the Daily Astorian, efforts have been underway to clean up the island since 1999. Contaminated sediment was found in the Ross Island lagoon and other areas during the 1990s, and, since then, Ross Island Sand and Gravel has spent millions on the cleanup. The company will continue monitoring the project and maintain the sediment caps, as well as continue some other cleanup efforts. The city of Portland obtained an uncontaminated portion of Ross Island several years ago, and a long-term planning effort should be rolled out soon.

Pennsylvania

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved plans for New Hope Crushed Stone Co. to excavate 50 feet deeper in a Bucks County Quarry. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that one of the conditions attached to the approval provides that, if mining results in any adverse impact to Primrose Creek’s water quality, mining must stop and can only resume if the DEP is satisfied that the problem is permanently mitigated. Other conditions address the area’s geologic terrain and relate to the operation’s impact on the area’s geology. Residents blamed the quarry for causing sinkholes and lowering the water table.

South Dakota

In July, Kolberg-Pioneer, Inc. hosted visits from Gov. Dennis Daugaard and members of his administration, as well as Suzanne Veenis, southeast area director to U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem, at its Yankton factory location. Joe Vig, president of Kolberg-Pioneer, said the governor’s visit included an overview of the company, its parent company, and its development and growth. The importance of supporting necessary federal and state funding for highways and bridges was stressed as key in contributing to the growth. The importance of highway funding and fuel tax issues were also stressed during Veenis’ visit.

Tennessee

Nashville-based Ingram Industries Inc. and Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Co., of Pine Bluff, Ark., announced they have entered into an agreement for Ingram to sell its Ingram Materials LLC subsidiary to Pine Bluff. Ingram Materials produces aggregate in middle Tennessee, western Kentucky, and northern Alabama, and has three sand dredges on the Ohio River, in addition to distribution facilities. As part of the agreement between the two family-owned businesses, Pine Bluff and Ingram Barge Co. will enter into a long-term towage agreement under which Ingram Barge and Pine Bluff will tow Pine Bluff’s sand and gravel barges on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. Pine Bluff is expected to hire all existing Ingram Materials associates and continue operations without substantial changes.

Texas

Dallas-based Texas Industries acquired three ready-mixed concrete plants and one aggregate operation through an asset swap with Cemex, the Statesman reports. Terms of the deal were not released. “We see in this region there is going to be a significant upside potential over the long-term — and by long-term, meaning more than five years, up to 10, 15, or 20 years,” company spokesman David Perkins told the newspaper. “It’s going to experience some pretty significant growth, and we want to be part of that.”