The following letter was read at the May 28th DEP meeting and was also sent to the acting secretary of the PA DEP.

You are encouraged to copy this letter, sign it, and send it to Kathleen McGinty, acting secretary of DEP.

Kathleen McGinty, Acting Secretary

Department of Environmental Protection

16^th Floor, Rachel Carson SOB

P.O. Box 2063

Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063

Dear Madam Secretary:

I am a resident of New Hanover Township in Montgomery County writing in regards to an application for a Large Noncoal Mine Permit submitted to Keith Laslow, Permits Chief at the Pottsville office, by Gibraltar Rock, Inc. of Fairless Hills, PA.

It seems best to bring this matter to your attention.

The Gibraltar Rock application was signed by a recently hired Vice President for Environmental and Public Affairs, Mr. Uday Patankar, P.E.  Mr. Patankar has served the noncoal mining industry for many years as a consultant with a long list of clients, securing permits, and networking with the regulatory bureaucracy.  Mr. Patankar's cover letter for the Gibraltar Rock application used the salutation, "Dear Keith."  We are concerned that this cozy first name familiarity is an indication of an insider’s fraternity and not that of a public agency with a public trust to whom we can appeal.    

Given his experience, it is most likely that Mr. Patankar will complete the application exactly as required. However there are matters not in the application that we bring to your attention with the request that the Gibraltar Rock application be rejected.  These important considerations are as follows.

Gibraltar Rock, Inc. is one of several companies of the Silvi Group, owned by two brothers, John and Laurence Silvi.  The brothers were convicted in 1992 of bribing a union official, and then subsequently pardoned by President Clinton in November of 2000.  In recent years the Silvi Group, consisting of Silvi Concrete, Sahara Sand and Riverside Materials, have accumulated a substantial number of OSHA citations.  Additionally the Silvi Group companies are in a contentious relationship with either civic groups or government agencies in various locations in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  This record persuades us that Gibraltar Rock will not be a good neighbor, protecting the health and safety of the community and willing to function in compliance with applicable regulations.  We encourage a complete investigation by your department, which will, we believe, convince us all that this application should be rejected.

We are aware that we are confronted by a very formidable opponent.  The Silvi's generous contributions to trade associations have paid off handsomely with special interest legislation.  Mr. Silvi has a long and continuous record of more than generous contribution to politicians of all persuasions.  This record suggests that Mr. Silvi is sufficiently connected, and has the financial resources to take the Gibraltar Rock application before the New Hanover Township Zoning Hearing Board and then continue to appeal his case until he wins and the opposition is exhausted.  Consequently a rejection by DEP is critically important to us.

Nearly one half of the residents of New Hanover Township have signed a petition in opposition to the Gibraltar Rock quarry.  This is not simply a "not in my back yard" movement.  We signers represent many back and front yards.  The 241 acre Gibraltar Rock proposal, at the intersections of routes 663 and 73, is right in the middle of a residential community that is growing rapidly in all directions from this central location.   It needs to be stated that 52 contiguous property owners and 60 adjacent properties tell only part of the story.  A nursing home and residential facility for senior citizens is close by and a large complex for senior citizens has been approved for construction directly across route 73 from the entrance to the proposed quarry.  Additionally, within a tenth of a mile there is site for a proposed school by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, a private academy for special needs students and a large public school.  Surely you agree, this high population density site is not the place for a quarry.

There are other objections for a quarry at this time and place.  We find the air quality standards for a quarry operation antiquated and impossible to monitor.  Both Federal and state air quality standards do not apply in this circumstance.  Silica dust is but one of several issues not addressed at this time.  The application contains no limits as to the hours of operation.  There are no noise limits agreed to in the application, except blasting noise which is regulated by the state.  A quarry operation at this site would add significantly to traffic congestion, particularly during school bus hours.  Additionally, the burden of proof is placed on property owners in the event that their well goes dry.  These items accumulate and degrade the quality of life. 

Yes, we request that the Gibraltar Rock application be rejected.  Also, we hope that no applications are approved, either here or elsewhere, until these many matters are addressed by your administration.

 Sincerely,