Connecticut

Oak Ledge Properties withdrew its application to continue activities on its 77-acre site in East Haven. The New Haven Register reports that the developer had planned a mixed-use development, but withdrew its application on the same day a new application would be due to extend its current operations. The planning and zoning commission chairman told the newspaper that the developer no longer can conduct blasting or crushing. It is now limited to selling stockpiles of crushed stone already on the property.

Maine

The Bangor Planning Board unanimously approved a request from Randy Gardner to expand his 6.98-acre quarry operation by an additional 5.25 acres. According to the Bangor Daily News, the board also extended the operation’s conditional-use and site development permits for three more years. It did, however, limit operating hours to 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Some neighboring residents expressed disappointment over the decision, but several sent letters of support to the city planning officer.

Mississippi

The Mississippi Supreme Court ordered the city of Batesville to take another look at a request from Memphis Stone and Gravel to operate a gravel pit in the southern part of Jackson. The Associated Press reports that its decision reversed earlier decisions by the state Court of Appeals and a Panola County judge. Justice Ann Lamar said the court could not determine from the case record how the city reached its conclusion that the pit would be legal and added that the board of aldermen should allow both the operator and its opponents to present evidence to support their positions. Finally, she said the aldermen should then provide more specifics on whatever conclusion it reaches.

Louisiana

St. John Enterprises said it plans to invest $32 million to upgrade Madison Parish Port Commission facilities in Tallulah, La., and to create approximately 450 jobs over the next five years, Workboat reports. The plant was expected to be online and delivering two new barges by late February. According to St. John CEO Ron Lewis, he has a contract to build six new 195- by 35-foot deck barges for a sand and gravel customer.

Minnesota

At Aggregates Manager’s press time, plans for Tiller Corp.’s proposed Zavoral mine were under review. The company is seeking permission for extraction and hauling, followed by reclamation. It does not plan to wash or process material on the site. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Scandia’s project advisory committee planned to review a preliminary draft of Tiller’s environmental impact statement. The 64-acre pit has not been mined since the 1980s.

Missouri

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering a proposal that would allow five operators to dredge an additional 1 million tons of sand and gravel from the Kansas River each year and increase the number of dredging sites. According to The Kansas City Star, the companies can currently dredge 2.2 million tons of sand and gravel from 10 sites. Those same companies — including Kaw Valley Cos., Holliday Sand & Gravel, Penny’s Aggregates, Master’s Dredging, and Meier’s Ready Mix — want to dredge 3.2 million tons a year from 13 sites. Some environmentalists are speaking out against the proposal. A spokesman for the Corps said it will take a year for its decision process to be complete.

Missouri

Mining engineering students at the Missouri University of Science and Technology have developed an interesting fundraiser: fright nights at S&T’s Experimental Mine. The university reports that The Haunted Mine has been held every year since 1997 and serves as the main fundraiser for mining engineering activities and student organizations. Mining engineering students volunteer to work at the event and earn funds for the organization of their choice, including the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration; Women in Mining; the International Society for Explosives Engineers; and the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association; as well as the university’s mine rescue and mucking teams.

Nevada

Gov. Brian Sandoval named Steve Hill as director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The Associated Press reports that one of his main tasks will be to develop a state economic development plan and criteria for the designation of regional development authorities. Hill is a former vice president of CalPortland and served as a member of Sandoval’s transition team.