WELCOME
TO THE PARADISE WATCHDOGS / BAN THE QUARRY WEBSITE
Battling the proposed hard rock quarry, asphalt plant, and concrete plant in New Hanover Township since 2001
Protecting the environment of New Hanover Township, Pennsylvania since 1987
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MAJOR COURT
VICTORY FOR NEW HANOVER RESIDENTS
READ THIS
First time here? Read this first.
FUNDRAISING
BAKE SALES
We hold monthly bake sales on the 3rd Saturday of the month, from March through November at: Freed’s Supermarket, Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville.
During 2021, we will not be planning any bake sales. At this time, we don’t expect our bake sales to resume in 2022.
PLANT SALES
During spring, summer, and fall we sell: annuals, perennials, small trees, shrubs, ground covers, and wild ferns. These are all specimens from our home gardens. In the fall we sell nursery mums. Plants are available at our bake sales held at Freed’s Supermarket. Prices are very low! Come out and take a look.
Please note: Periodically, we add fundraisers during the year. Check this website for all updates and cancellations.
DONATIONS
The Paradise Watchdogs are fully funded by your kind donations. To donate, please send a check to:
Paradise Watchdogs
P.O. Box 115
Frederick, PA 19435
UPDATES & NEWS
August 2019. Read newsletter
UPDATES
1/13/2023
The PA Supreme Court opinion IS IN - Read More
7/29/2021
Mining Permit Renewal Update - Read More
NEWS
Aug. 2022 Read Newsletter
Aug. 2021 Read Newsletter
Feb. 2021 Read Newsletter
Aug. 2020 Read Newsletter
Feb. 2020 Read Newsletter
Aug. 2019 Read Newsletter
Semi-annual Newsletter
Our newsletters are mailed in February and August of each year. If you would like to be on our mailing list, please let us know. We have a sign-up sheet at our bake sales. Or, click here to request adding your name to our mailing list.
INFORMATION
Our Organization
The Paradise Watchdogs/Ban the Quarry group has been around since 1987. Read about our mission and history.
Court Cases
Read about the Montgomery County 38th Judicial District judge's 2014 decision.
Environmental Issues
Learn about the environmental impacts of a quarry operation, asphalt plant, and concrete plant on the following:
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Increased Township Traffic on
Swamp Pike, Rt. 73, and Rt. 663, plus many back and side roads
The Dangers of Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral often found in quarries in our state. The “Mesothelioma Cancer Network” is an organization with the mission to bring awareness of the dangers of asbestos. Read more about them here.
Environmental Agencies
Read about the agencies who have responsibility for local environmental issues.
The New Hanover Tax Revenue Myth
Over the years, some residents have asked about New Hanover spending money on the quarry. Read why this is a myth.
MAP OF AFFECTED AREA
The map at the left shows the area of the proposed Gibraltar quarry.
As of 2018 the proposed quarry would stretch from Rt. 73 to the south, north to Coleflesh road, and from Church (east) to Rt. 663 (Layfield Rd.) on the west. It would include the hard rock quarry, an asphalt plant, and a concrete plant.
The quarry was proposed in early 2001 by the Silvi Group Companies (See below). The Paradise Watchdogs, with the New Hanover Township Zoning Hearing Board and Board of Supervisors have been involved since then.
Image at left originally created by Reading Eagle, but incorrectly identified important areas, which we corrected.
Learn About the Proposed Quarry Owners
The Silvi Group Companies began in 1947 in Lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Since then, they have operated sand, ready-mix concrete, asphalt plants, and quarries throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Their website can be found at www.silvi.com
Their site contains information about their companies and mining activities. However, besides their company, there's more to learn about the dealings of the two brothers who own the company.
