Note: The following is not a verbatim transcript of the Zoning Hearing Board meeting; it is simply one person’s summary of the major points made by those involved in the hearing process.  For that reason, quotation marks are not used unless a direct quote was recorded.  For information about obtaining an official ZHB transcript, contact the New Hanover Township office.

There were approximately 75 residents present. 

Mr. Walter B. Satterthwaite, principal of Walter B. Satterthwaite Assocs., Inc. continued his appearance after being away because of recent surgery. 

Since all attorneys had finished questioning Mr. Satterthwaite it was the turn of local residents. 

Roger Buchanan wanted to ask questions about particle size. Satterthwaite talked about what type of rock was underlying the area: baked and thermal Brunswick [Click here to read an article, which is located on the Upper Perkiomen Watershed's website] .When asked about the rock composition Satterthwaite said shale and sandstone that are formed by compression to assume the character of igneous rock.

Buchanan asked if it contained silica and Satterthwaite relied that yes it did have silica in it.  Buchanan asked if the dust that the quarry generated would contain silica dust (a known carcinogen), and Satterthwaite talked about dust suppression saying that only very little silica would get into the air.

Buchanan asked about asbestos and beryllium, Satterthwaite said there wasn’t any in this type of rock. Definitely no asbestos and beryllium is only found in the West.

The next resident to ask questions was Evan Detrick. He began by asking about Satterthwaite’s testimony about the fact that volatile chemicals that had been found on the site. Detrick asked if there was a plan to cleanup these chemicals. Satterthwaite said the amount was too small for a formal remediation plan. He did say that when the solid waste incinerator that is presently located on the site (which burns medical waste) is removed that the site should be retested. At that time a remediation plan may be needed. Detrick asked what level of toxicity would kick in remediation. Satterthwaite said that if metals were found there would have to be a plan to remove them.

Detrick began questioning Satterthwaite about Exhibit 4, which is a drawing of the proposed site.  Satterthwaite talked about how the lower portion of the proposed site, which is zoned HI has a center of good rock. North of Hoffmansville Road is the best rock, he said, but in a smaller area.

Detrick then asked if Satterthwaite could comment on surface water questions.  Detrick said that Mr. Uday M. Patankar (the permit expert) said that it is possible to operate a quarry over existing streams and asked if that was correct. Satterthwaite said no it isn’t. Detrick asked about intermittent streams and Satterthwaite said yes as long as it is not a sensitive wetland.  Detrick mentioned that there are two intermittent streams at the planned location. He asked if the quarry would cut off both of these watersheds. Satterthwaite said that wasn’t true, that DEP must approve if you remove or relocate streams, including the restoration of wetlands.

Detrick told Satterthwaite this his own property is close to the Southern portion of the proposed site and that he has large trees and a pond on his property.  He asked how Gibraltar Rock would take care of protecting these. Satterthwaite said that Gibraltar Rock would fix it so Detrick would actually gain ground water to preserve his stream. Detrick asked him if it would be pumped or piped around the quarry burm.  Satterthwaite said that they have ways to “do it” without being specific.

Detrick asked Satterthwaite if he said that they had found water at 185 feet but not at 400 feet. Satterthwaite said that was true. Detrick asked him to suppose water was drained from wells and then asked if the new wells would have to be dug below 400 feet. Satterthwaite talked about how the ground fills up with water. He said that one-third of the underground water is recharged by rainwater and that the removal of small quantities of water by the quarry will be replaced by natural rainfall---that the aquifer will not be drained by the quarry because rain will replenish it.  Although, he admitted, “a few wells will be effected.” Detrick asked if Gibraltar Rock would make good if these wells went dry.  Satterthwaite said that they would if it was attributable to the quarry. 

Detrick next got personal and specific. He said that his well is 30 feet deep and that he has a small pump, which is able to replace. He commented that if his well went dry he would have to dig a deeper well and this would necessitate a larger pump and more pipe. He asked if Gibraltar Rock would pay for that. Satterthwaite said “no.”  Detrick said that his neighbors are farmers and have extensive areas planted. He asked if their wells went dry would Gibraltar pay to construct holding reservoirs and to have water pumped to these reservoirs. Satterthwaite said that Gibraltar would only have to pay for drilling the new well (if it was found that it was the quarries fault that a well went dry).

Detrick said that Satterthwaite mentioned that one well dried up 10 hours into the 72 hour pump test. Satterthwaite said that that wells was a “perched water table,” meaning it was a pocket of water perched upon a layer of rock.

Detrick asked Satterthwaite about the number of gallons per day the quarry would draw, asking if it would draw 20-30,000 gallons per day. Satterthwaite said he didn’t remember. Detrick then said, “you don’t know how much water the quarry will use, but your reasonably sure you won’t draw down wells?” Satterthwaite said that with normal rainfall he doesn’t anticipate any problems.

Detrick next asked about the Southern area. He said that after the 72-hour test there was an area that didn’t recharge. Satterthwaite said he didn’t suspect that a quarry, which uses 20-30,000 gallons a day will cause an effect on the water table of the area.

Detrick next mentioned that there are new DEP regulations for developers that says they must provide a plan to recharge the water table. He asked if there was such a requirement for quarries. Satterthwaite said that they will need to plan for recharging, but that they will not be able to recharge the entire amount that a farm might need. Detrick then said, “so you can’t recharge all of the groundwater?” Satterthwaite said no.

The last resident to question Satterthwaite was Kurt Zimbroski. He asked Satterthwaite about the plans to quarry North of Hoffmansville Road. Satterthwaite said they tested that area with a 2” core.  Zimbroski asked if the tests were extensive, to which Satterthwaite relied that yes the testing for rock was extensive, but not so extensive for water.

Since the attorney for Gibraltar Rock had no other witnesses available the meeting was adjourned.

The next meetings will be August 15, 2002.

See Also:
Summary of the previous meeting (June 2002)