The Paradise Watchdogs community group was established in 1987 as a not-for-profit corporation.  The Pennsylvania State Constitution guarantees all citizens the right to clean air, pure water, the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment.  The state constitution also promises that Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come.  As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all people.

The purpose of the Paradise Watchdogs of New Hanover is to educate the community about environmental impacts to the township.  In the 1980s and 90s, a group of local citizens banded together to consider a proposal to construct a landfill on approximately 100 acres containing wetlands and a perennial stream.  Leaders of the group worked in conjunction with the township and after a long battle were successful in defeating the proposed landfill.  They were not successful in protecting air quality from the operation of a hospital-waste incinerator at the same location.  During the 1980s, the Pottstown Mercury referred to the local citizens group as the “Paradise Watchdogs” because of the many residents who referred to the area as “a paradise” that should be preserved.

In 2000, the Silvi Group from Fairless Hills, Bucks County, filed an application to construct a hard-rock quarry, asphalt plant, and concrete plant on the same land that housed the incinerator.  After the application was rejected by the township, the company requested hearings before the  Zoning Hearing Board, beginning in 2001 and concluding in 2009.  In 2001, another group of residents joined together to oppose the three proposed operations and Ban-the-Quarry was born, eventually merging with the Paradise Watchdogs. 

The purchase of additional properties by the Silvi Group of companies resulted in three applications for a quarry, asphalt and concrete plant.  This caused the need for three different hearings before the Zoning Hearing Board, requiring the use of tax revenue to provide the ongoing hearings requested by the applicant, Gibraltar Rock, Inc.  The company has filed appeals for all township and court decisions to this date.  Currently the appeals are pending.

In 2012, with a long history of almost 25 years, the Paradise Watchdogs continue their purpose to preserve the area’s natural resources.  They are not opposed to development in the area but do expect developers to abide by local laws enacted to protect and serve the people in our community. 

Currently the Paradise Watchdogs are members of PennEnvironment, a state-wide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization that believes our state is special and worth protecting and preserving for future generations.  The Watchdogs are also members of the Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, PA.   This center was developed in 1967 and their scientists and educators have been focused on one thing – fresh water.  Their research studies have been used by businesses, policy-makers, landowners, and community volunteers. 

The Paradise Watchdogs of New Hanover Township have recently joined SAN – the Schuylkill Action Network.  Members share information, expertise, and technology to help each other achieve a shared vision of clean water and a healthy environment for the Schuylkill River and its tributaries, two of which are in New Hanover Township.

For more information, check out the website:  banthequarry.org