Tuesday, June 18, 2019

What would an "Environmentalist" do?

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.


Here's how to: Voice your objection!



Share this information and our website at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/ with your Social Media network. Thank you!
    


Action Continues

While we have had an initial success in getting our zoning regulations amended to NOT PERMIT Asphalt production in all zones of North Canaan, our fight continues.  Metcalf's lawsuit against the zoning board continues in court and we are awaiting a decision by the judge on whether to allow Metcalf to proceed on a technicality. The judge could actually decide to let Metcalf proceed without any further say from the town's people. The judge may also agree with the town, that with no zoning provision to allow asphalt manufacture the result would have been the same even if the application was accepted - it would have been disallowed.

Many people think that the new amendment to our zoning regulations is stopping Metcalf - but it is not. For we know Metcalf is appealing the decision of the zoning board to not permit asphalt production in our town. Metcalf is clearly ignoring this town vote and the overwhelming support by townspeople to halt any asphalt production in North Canaan. So again, "We do not want your plant in North Canaan Mr. Metcalf!"

So, please spread the word that this battle continues. His lawsuit continues and he keeps filing appeals both of which the town must spend resources to answer.

So keep the signs up and keep emailing/writing your town and state officials.

Keep North Canaan healthy.

Contact:
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.



Here's how to: Voice your objection!



Share this information and our website at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/ with your Social Media network. Thank you!