About Warm (Green) Mix Asphalt
“...Even a so called Green Mix facility only yields a reduction of about 33% leaving 67% of dangerous Asphalt Fume (inhalable benzene ) and crystalline silica in the environment…”
“...Groundwater contaminated with chemicals, pesticides, gasoline or oil can cause serious human and animal health problems. Those who drink it or come in contact with it can suffer diseases, nervous system disorders, liver or kidney failure, or cancer…*
ANY ASPHALT MAKING OR STORAGE presents a real and present danger to the quality of life in our whole town.
 |
| Water in canning jar with Cold-Patch Metcalf Asphalt. And what about the effects of a large Warm Mix Asphalt manufacturing plant at this site? |
Housatonic Valley Association documented North Canaan, Connecticut Wetland Soils & Aquifer Potential Areas (see map below)
They have documented a potential aquifer under this property.
Asphalt making and storage risks contaminating the groundwater going into the Blackberry River and aquifers that feed town water well system and private wells.
 |
| North Canaan, Connecticut Wetland Soils & Aquifer Potential Areas. |
BLUE CROSSHATCH AREAS are Surficial Aquifer Potential Areas Considered to Have the Greatest Potential for Groundwater Yield
ASPHALT SITE IS within one-third mile of a watercourse and within one-third mile of residential housing.
Attorney General's Opinion on "...asphalt batching or continuous mix facility..." sites Sec. 5. This act shall take effect from its passage, except that section 1 shall take effect October 1, 1998.
"...The language of the public act is quite plain. Any asphalt batching or continuous mix facility not in operation as of December 31, 1997, may not be located less than one-third of a mile from any of the sites listed. According to the information you have supplied to me, the Fedus Colchester plant is located within one-third mile of a watercourse and within one-third mile of residential housing and, as of December 31, 1997, it was not in operation. If those are the facts regarding the location of the plant and its operation, the currently pending application to renew the permit to construct the plant must be denied as the statutory language prohibits location of such a facility, inter alia, within 1/3 mile of residential housing and within 1/3 mile of a watercourse. ..."
Stormwater Contamination Danger from Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement:
“... Field samples taken from various local sites were collected during the first-flush period of a rainstorm, in addition to laboratory-generated runoff samples from both virgin hot mix asphalt and reclaimed asphalt pavement. … Overall, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) runoff was shown to have higher concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons and greater complexity than virgin asphalt. … One goal for this project is to raise attention to a matter that has widely been overlooked, and one that may be far greater in magnitude than has been yet realized.
Report: The Effect of Asphalt Pavement on Stormwater Contamination by WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-052810-151011/unrestricted/Asphalt_and_Stormwater_IQP_2010.pdf
Asphalt Plants are Regulated under Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Plan:
“...a comprehensive and coordinated system of land use regulations should be established that includes state regulations which protect public drinking water wells located in stratified drift aquifers… (Stratified Drift Aquifers consist of stratified layers of sand and gravel. Most productive aquifers. High permeability/moderate porosity. Susceptible to pollution)…”...
“... What Are The Effects of Groundwater Contamination? According to Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Area Program (which North Canaan has adopted) Municipal Manual groundwater contaminated with chemicals, pesticides, gasoline or oil can cause serious human and animal health problems. Those who drink it or come in contact with it can suffer diseases, nervous system disorders,liver or kidney failure, or cancer. Detection and treatment of contaminated water can be very expensive, much more expensive than taking steps to prevent the contamination from occurring in the first place. …” More at Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Area Program
HERE.
The owner of Metcalf Paving says he is an "environmentalist".
What do you think?
Tell them:
STATE NWCT REPRESENTATIVE:
Maria.Horn@cga.ct.gov
DEEP:
deep.aquiferprotection@ct.gov
TOWN OF NORTH CANAAN:
Planning & Zoning -
zoning@northcanaan.org
Charles P. Perotti -
selectman@northcanaan.org
Craig Whiting (Selectmen) -
cwhiting57@yahoo.com
Christian P. Allyn (Selectmen) -
christianallyn@gmail.com
Inland Wetlands - c/o
selectman@northcanaan.org
Ask the STATE OF CT
attorney.general@ct.gov to look into the matter of Metcalf continuing to expand the "non-conforming" designation of his property without the citizens of North Canaan having their due process.
