SPECIAL NOTE: Especially during the summer, meeting details may change or meetings may be cancelled with little notice. When possible, such changes will be noted in an email update and/or on the http://placeforum.org website.
= = = = = = = = =
WEEK OF AUGUST 18, 2008
COLUMN BY LISA BROUILLETTE: POLITICS PLAYS PART IN PLANNING
http://placeforum.org/blog/2008/08/17/politics-plays-part-in-planning-aug-15-2008-column-by-lisa-brouillette/
[first published in the Opelika-Auburn News on Friday, Aug 15, 2008]
NOTE: Due to space restrictions, the final two paragraphs of this column were omitted from the Opelika-Auburn News print version; the entire column is posted online.
ONGOING / SATURDAY, AUG 16 through SATURDAY, NOV. 8 – ART MUSEUM / NATIVE AMERICAN EXHIBITION
Held at the Chi-Omega Gallery, AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art (http://jcsm.auburn.edu/index.php ). Open to the public.
The Indian Gallery of Henry Inman, an exhibition of paintings, prints and artifacts that focus on Southeastern Creek and Cherokee leaders and warriors of the early 19th century. The exhibit will present more than a dozen original oil paintings by artist Henry Inman (1801-1846), who gained renown as an exacting chronicler of American Western history, primarily through his replicas of a series of North American Indian portraits. The exhibition is made possible through the support of Tom and Ann Cousins. In conjunction with the exhibition, Auburn history professor Kathryn Braund will present the lecture, “Leading Men: The 1826 Treaty Delegates,” at 5 p.m. Oct. 16. Braund’s research focuses on the ethno-history of the Creek and Seminole Indians in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
MONDAY, AUG. 18 – Ross Street RR Crossing to Close August 18
MONDAY AUG 18, 9 am – 3 pm — Eyes Wide Open exhibit
Held near Cater Lawn at Auburn University. Open to all. Sponsored by the newly-inaugurated Student Action Network.
TUESDAY, AUG 19, 10:00 am — Alabama Water Resources Commission
Held at RSA Plaza Terrace and Grill, 770 Washington Ave. Capitol Room, 6th floor, Montgomery. Ph: 334-242-5499. Open to all.
Agenda includes:
1. Roll Call and Declaration of Quorum
2. Agenda Modifications
3. Consideration of Minutes of 11/28/07 meeting
4. Report from Officers
5. Committee Reports
6. Report from Division Director, ADECA Office of Water Resources
7. Water Wars update
8. New Business
9. Comments from the Public
10. Schedule of Future Meetings
11. Adjourn
TUESDAY, AUG .19 – AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
Committee of the Whole: 6:55 pm / Regular meeting: 7:00 pm
Held in the council chambers, 141 N. Ross St.. Open to all. Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/agenda/
Agenda includes:
7. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS.
8. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS. City Manager Duggan.
a. Alcoholic Beverage License. F&F Italian Specialies, Inc. dba/Bourbon St Bar. 103 North College Street. Lounge Retail Liquor – Class 1 License. Consideration.
b. Announcement of Board Vacancies. Appointments at the September 19, 2008 Meeting.
(1) Historic Preservation Commission. One Position. Term Expires April 20, 2011. Resignation.
(2) Lee County Youth Development Center. One Position. Four Year Term Expires September 30, 2012.
9. ORDINANCES.
a. C & S Investments, L.L.C./Sigma Pi Club of Auburn. Rob Selby and David Crum (Authorized Representatives). Property Located east of Moton Street, west of Hemlock Drive, north of West Magnolia Avenue, and south of West Glenn Avenue.
Rezone from Holding District (HD) to University Services District (US). 0.97 acres. Lots 27-30, Lots 35- 40, and Lots 45-49 of Block E, Lincoln Heights 1st Addition Subdivision. Public Hearing Required. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
b. FY2009 and FY2010 Biennial Budget. Public Hearing. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
[PLACE editorial note: If you wish to comment on the FY 2009-10 biennial budget, you may do so at this public hearing, and/or by contacting the council at coagbemail@auburnalabama.org. This is the first reading of the budget; if all council members agree, it may be voted on at this meeting, just after the public hearing. The budget materials are posted online at www.auburnalabama.org/budget/. ]
10. RESOLUTIONS.
a. Not to Exceed $9,000,000. Reimburse General Fund for Sewer Fund Expenditures.
b. Designating Depositories. Member Qualified Public Depositories.
c. Industrial Development Board. Kull Die Casting Technology North America, Inc. 1500 Pumphrey Avenue. Tax Abatement. Excludes Education, Hospital, and Children’s Home Ad Valorem and Sales and Use Taxes.
d. Auburn Hills/Gold Hill Plantation Improvement District. Alabama Improvement District. Consideration of Petition to Incorporate.
[PLACE editorial note: If approved, this would be Auburn's second Improvement District, the first being the West Pace project on Shell Toomer.]
e. Memorandum of Agreement, Contracts, and Agreements. Authorize Mayor and City Manager to Execute.
(1) Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport. Construction of New Terminal. Joint Agreement among City of Auburn, City of Opelika, Lee County, and Auburn University. Memorandum of Agreement.
(2) Alabama Department of Transportation. Transfer Ownership and Maintenance of Portion of Alabama Highway 14 and Alabama Highway 147 to City of Auburn. Supersede Resolution No. 07-271. Agreement.
(3) Information Technology Department.
(a) Cisco Mobile Access Routers (10). AT&T. $31,583.50.
(b) Western DataCom MobileCom eXpress Cellular Modem Bundles for Cisco Mobile Access Router 3200 (10). Western DataCom Co., Inc. $11,385.
(c) Mobile Access Terminals (20). Howard Technology Solutions. $35,410.
(d) Police Records, Computer Aided Dispatch, and Mobile Computing Software. Southern Software, Inc. $365,956.
(4) Water Resource Management Department. Northside Water Pollution Control Facility Phase II Improvements Project. Change Order No. 2. $29,085.53.
f. Drainage and Utility Easements, Rights of Way, Warranty Deeds, and Quit Claim Deed. Acceptance, Vacation, and Settlement for Value Lost.
(1) The Preserve LLC c/o Jerry Johnson. Portion of Lee Road 80 at Intersection of Lee Road 72.
(a) Quit Claim Deed. Public Hearing Required. Vacate Right of Way.
(b) Warranty Deed. Accept Right of Way.
(2) James S. Lipscomb. Right of Way for Construction of Turn Lane. East Samford Avenue Extension Project. Settlement of $2,100 for Value Lost. Warranty Deed. Acceptance.
(3) Auburn University/O.D. Smith Hall. Installation of Traffic Signal Control Box at Intersection of West Magnolia Avenue and College Street. Utility Easement. Acceptance.
(4) East Glenn Investment Properties LLC. East Samford Avenue Extension Project. Drainage and Utility Easement. Acceptance.
11. OTHER BUSINESS.
12. ADJOURNMENT.
TUESDAY, AUG. 19 – OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL
6:00 pm – work session / 7:00 PM – regular meeting
Held in the council chambers, 204 South 7th Street, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda: www.opelika.org/
Work session agenda includes:
6:00 (1) – a. 2009 City Budget presentation
6:30 (2) – a. Authorization to submit a grant for to complete the Renovation of the W.J. Calhoun Tennis center
6:35 (3) – a. Request by T-Mobile to locate on an existing tower
6:40 (4) – a. Concerns with weeds and overgrown lots
6:45 (5) – a. General updates
6:50 (6) – Discuss/review CM agenda items of 8/19/08 — a. Remarks by Mayor; b. General business; c. Bids; d. Resolutions; e. Ordinances; f. Board Appointments
6:55 (7) – Discussion: a. New / Old Business; b. Board appointments; c. Other City business.
Regular session agenda includes:
6) UNFINISHED BUSINESS -
7) REMARKS BY THE MAYOR – Gary Fuller
a. Recognize Charles Keeter as the Opelika Police officer of the month.
b. Recognize Anita Comer from the Human Resource department.
c. Recognize Andy Bell from the Planning department.
d. Monthly buildings inspection report for July 2008.
CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS – (Limit comments to five minutes or less)
9) REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
11) GENERAL BUSINESS – Bob Shuman
1. Notice of public hearing, amend zoning ordinance for the National Village property adding 94 acres zoned PUD.
12) AWARDING OF BIDS – (By Resolution) – Shirley Washington
1. Furnishing for the first floor of City Hall.
2. Three year contract for leasing a document printing system.
13) RESOLUTIONS – Guy Gunter
1. Annual appropriation agreement with Valley Haven School.
2. Designate surplus City personal property and authorize disposal.
14) ORDINANCES – Guy Gunter
1. Amend text of zoning ordinance, funeral homes – Planning – 2nd reading.
2. Amend zoning ordinance, additional National Village property, PUD–Planning –1st reading.
3. Amend the designated Christmas holidays for 2008 – 1st reading.
15) APPOINTMENTS
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20, 6:00 pm – LEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB
Held at the Elks Club, 1944 Opelika Road.
6:00 pm — buffet dinner ($9.00; tax and tip included)
6:50 pm – Program – Clyde E. Jones, Candidate for Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1
Judge Clyde E. Jones, after a B.A. in psychology from Knoxville College in 1976 and a D.J in Jurisprudence from Samford University, served as Deputy and Assistant D.A and as partner with Penick, Williams, and Jones in Birmingham before opening his own law firm in 1987. Active with the bar and in the community, he was President of the Magic City Bar Association in promotion of African-American attorneys and has been on numerous committees of the Birmingham Bar Association. In addition to his experience as a prosecutor, he was a successful defense attorney who won several serious felony and murder trials. Appointed as Jefferson County Circuit Judge in 2002, he won election two years later. As judge, he has received numerous awards, including the Fred L. Shuttlesworth Freedom Fighter Award, the Magic City Bar Association’s 2004 Scroll Award, and the 2007 Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Civic Leader of the Year Award. Additionally, in October of 2007 the Alabama Supreme Court appointed Judge Jones to serve a three (3) year term on the Advisory Committee on Alabama Criminal Procedure. See more about Judge Jones at http://judgeclydejones.net/.
THURSDAY, AUG. 21, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm — ART ACTIVITY / CREATE TIBETAN PRAYER FLAGS http://jcsm.auburn.edu/
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Open to the public. More info: Dan Neil at 334.844.1643.
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art has been preparing for the visit of The Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loeseling Study Center on Thursday August 21st by creating 100% recycled colored paper in the five auspicious colors and developing block prints with prayers for peace, good fortune, wisdom, health, and compassion. Visitors to the museum on August 21st will have the opportunity to print and assemble their own prayer flags as a part of the day’s activities. Traditional Tibetan prayer flags are colorful panels or rectangular cloths often found strung along the mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding country side. Prayer flags come in specifically ordered sets of five, one in each of five colors being blue, white, red, green, yellow. Blue symbolizes sky and space, white air and wind, red fire, green water, and yellow is for the earth. Prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to ‘gods’; a common misconception; rather the prayers and mantras are blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to benefit everyone who breathes the air that passes over the flag.
THURSDAY, AUG. 21, 4:00 pm — OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION
Held at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika Public Works bldg. Open to all. www.opelika.org
Agenda: www.opelika.org/Default.asp?ID=519&pg=Upcoming+Planning+Commission+Meeting+Agenda
A. PLATS (preliminary and prel. & final) – Public Hearing
1. South Lake Area Bank Parcels S/D, Redivision of Parcel 2, Phase 2, 34 lots, S. Uniroyal Road, Preston Holdings LLC, P/F approval
2. Sentinal Hills S/D, 43 lots, Lee Road 177, Sentinal Hills LLC, Preliminary approval
3. Village at Waterford S/D, Phase 1, 1st Revision, 5 lots, Village at Highland Hills LLC, Hwy 169, P/F approval
4. Gates S/D, 34 lots, Lee Road 147, Debra L. Garrett Pinkard, P/F approval
5. Kenneth Teel S/D, 2 lots, Lee Road 268, Kenneth Teel, P/F approval
6. Stonegate S/D, 60 lots, Argo & Sons, Lee Road 391, P/F approval
7. National Village S/D, No. 8-A, 30 lots, Robert Trent Jones Trail, Preliminary approval
8. Tiger Town S/D, 13 lots, Enterprise Drive, Tiger Town LTD, P/F approval
B. FINAL APPROVAL
9. Piney Woods S/D, 22 lots, 1121 Saugahatchee Lake Road, The Rhema Group, Inc., Final approval
10. Village at Waterford S/D, Phase 2A, 1st Revision, 26 lots, Village at Highland Hills LLC Hwy 169, Final approval
C. CONDITIONAL USE
11. Six Plus LLC, 26th Street, C-3, GC-2, Office warehouse
12. Carlos Mayfield, 2213 Pepperell Pkwy, VC, Restaurant
13. Auburn East LLC, 1451A Gateway Drive, C-2, GC-2, Domino Pizza
14. Bill Curran, 607 South 6th Street, C-3, GC-2, Auto tire & service center
15. Church of Christ, 500 North 10th Street, R-2, Church addition
16. Auburn Church, Inc, 3700 Pepperell Pkwy (Midway Plaza), C-3, GC-2, Church
D. AMENDMENTS TO SUBDIVSION REGULATIONS – Public Hearing
17. Section 4.4 Final Plat Approval, Paragraph D, Final Plat Requirements, Adding the following: #22 Certificate of Approval by the Public Works Director.
THURSDAY, AUG. 21, 6:30 pm – SAVE OUR SAUGAHATCHEE (SOS)
Held at City of Auburn meeting room, 144 Tichenor Ave. Open to all.
Agenda: Report from Auburn Water Board-Laura Koon
THURSDAY, AUG. 21, 7:00 – 8:30 pm – BAND-O-RAMA
Held at Duck Samford Stadium. Open to all.
The AU Marching Band and area High School Bands perform half-time shows.
FRIDAY, AUG. 22 – SATURDAY, AUG. 23, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM — JCSM: Tibetan Monks Mandala Sand Painting and Welcome Back
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to the public.
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art welcomes 11 Tibetan lamas from the Drepung Loseling Monastery who will create a sand mandala in the Grand Gallery. On Thursday evening at 5:00, the monks will perform the opening ceremony, then over the following three days, they will meticulously create a Tibetan Buddhist cosmogram from colored crushed marble and sand. For more information visit http://jcsm.auburn.edu.
FRIDAY, AUG. 22, 11:00 am – ALABAMA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION / EMC
Held in the Alabama Room (Main Hearing Room), 1400 Coliseum Blvd, ADEM Building, Montgomery. Open to all.
Agenda includes:
1. Consideration of minutes of meeting held on June 27, 2008.
2. Report from the Director.
3. Report from the Commission Chair
4. Discussion of quarry permitting (NPDES-Related Matter) – This item was added to the agenda at the request of Commissioner Felker for a discussion of quarry permitting. The Commission will call on the Department for comments on the Department’s quarry permitting process and its authorities regarding regulating quarries. The Department will also provide comments on recent quarry related legislation.
5. Consideration of adoption of proposed amendments to the Division 3 – Air Regulations – The Commission will consider proposed amendments to the Division 3 – Air Regulations. The Department proposes to amend ADEM Administrative Code Rule 335-3-4-.01, Visible Emissions. The Department held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on August 6, 2008.
6. Consideration of adoption of proposed amendments to the Division 13 – Solid Waste Regulations – The Commission will consider proposed amendments to the Division 13 – Solid Waste Regulations. The Department proposes to amend ADEM Administrative Code rules 335-13-9-.02, Phase I Plan; 335-13-9-.03, Phase II Plan; and 335-13-9-.04, Updating and Modifying the State Solid Waste Management Plan. The Department held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on July 21, 2008.
7. Shaun Thistlethwaite, et al. v. ADEM, and City of Birmingham, Intervenor, EMC Docket No. 06-08 – The Commission will consider the Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge regarding the Petitioners’ appeal of ADEM’s approval of the City of Birmingham’s Solid Waste Permit #3711 for the New Georgia Landfill, which was granted on July 11, 2006.
8. John Jordan, Sr. and John Jordan, Jr. d/b/a Alabama Recycling v. ADEM, EMC Docket Nos. 08-02 and 08-03 – The Commission will consider the Recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge to dismiss EMC Docket No. 08-02 regarding Petitioner John Jordan, Sr.’s appeal of ADEM Administrative Order 08-047-AP to John Jordan, Sr. and John Jordan, Jr., d/b/a Alabama Recycling, Montgomery, Montgomery County, Air Facility No. 209-0094.
9. Other business
10. Future business session
* The Agenda for this meeting will be available on the ADEM website, www.adem.alabama.gov, under EMC Information and Calendar of Events.
** The Minutes for this meeting will be available on the ADEM website under EMC Information.
[PLACE editorial note: For further discussion of these & other state environmental issues, go to the Alabama Environmental Coalition's website: www.aeconline.org. Here are excerpts re: the EMC's meeting agenda from the AEC's recent newsletter:
Two key items are on the agenda. First is the much heated debate over opacity standards. ADEM has proposed allowing higher levels of particulate matter to be emitted into the air by industry. Particulate matter is a cause of asthma, and Alabama ranked third in the country for prevalence of childhood asthma in 2005. You can learn more about the issue at the Alabama Environmental Council. Secondly, Commissioner Kathleen Felker has taken a keen interest in the environmental and quality of life issues surrounding quarries in Alabama. Scheduled for the meeting is a discussion about actions the EMC can take regarding quarries. Last week, Dr. Felker met with representatives of the quarry industry and they are happy with ADEM's regulation of quarries.]
FRIDAY, AUG. 22, 7:30 pm – SUNDILLA CONCERT FEATURING STACEY EARLE & MARK STUART
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall (AUUF), 450 E. Thach. www.sundilla.org
Admission: $10; with student ID $8; children under 12 free (and welcomed; play area provided). Light refreshments provided free of charge; you may also bring your own food or beverage (beer/wine allowed). For more info, and to hear music clips of Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart, go to www.sundilla.org.
SATURDAY, AUG. 23, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm – 6th ANNUAL CENTRAL ALABAMA BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Held at the Capri Theatre. Free admission.
Sponsored by Alabama State University. Festival features: The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington and Order of the Myths. Student Films and Guest Speakers. First 100 people get Free Popcorn & Soda.
SATURDAY, AUG. 23, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – AUBURN WATER WATCH WORKSHOP / Chemistry Monitoring Trainer-of-Trainer (TOT) workshop https://fp.auburn.edu/icaae/WorkShopRegC.aspx
Held at 246 Upchurch Hall, AU. Ph: 888-844-4785. Free & open to all; registration required.
Presented by: AWW trainers Bill Deutsch & Sergio S. Ruiz-Córdova
This Trainer of trainer workshop is so that experienced, certified water chemistry monitors may become trainers. Please call 888-844-4785 for more info regarding qualifications and responsibilities. Experienced trainers may also attend this workshop in lieu of a trainer refresher.
SATURDAY, AUG. 23, 2:00 – 4:00 pm – AUBURN WATER WATCH WORKSHOP / Bacteria Monitoring https://fp.auburn.edu/icaae/WorkShopRegC.aspx
Held at 246 Upchurch Hall, AU. Ph: 888-844-4785. Free & open to all; registration required.
AWW Trainers: Bill Deutsch & Sergio S. Ruiz-Córdova.
SUNDAY, AUG. 24, 2:00 – 4:00 PM — MANDALA CLOSING CEREMONY
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to the public. http://jcsm.auburn.edu
The closing ceremony for the sand mandala will be at JCSM at 2 p.m. In a symbolic demonstration of life’s transience, the monks will perform a ceremony that destroys the beautiful mandala they created. The 11 Tibetan lamas from the Drepung Loseling Monastery began the creation of a sand mandala on August 21 at 5:00 p.m. After the mandala is destroyed, everyone is invited to walk to the Town Creek Park to disperse the sand into the creek. The Buddhists believe that the moving water will carry the sand and its blessing across the world.
======= ======== ======= ======= =======
The Alabama Legislature’s Joint Committee on Water Policy and Management — The newly organized 14 member joint legislative committee on water policy is working to draft a plan for Alabama. If you want to become an activity member of one or more of its subcommittees, or just be informed of their work, contact Legislative Assistant Pamela Averrett at 334-242-7875 or pamela.averrett@alsenate.gov. The subcommittees are: a) Conservation, Efficiency, Water Quality, and Drought Management; b) Water Management Mechanisms, Strategies, and Policies; c) Agriculture, Transportation, Industry, and Recreation; d) Water Resource Assessments, Studies, Data Collection and Storage.
The Alabama Legislature’s Joint Committee on Energy — Now in its second year, the 14 member joint legislative committee on energy is again working to propose energy legislation, probably in the regular session that begins February 3, 2009. If you want to be actively involved, or just keep up their work, contact Kristen Rector at 334-395-0123 or repgregwren@yahoo.com. (She actually works in Rep. Wren’s office on Carmichael Rd. in Montgomery. House members don’t have staff at the Ala. State House.) The subcommittees are: a) Biofuels and Alternative Fuels; b) Renewable Power and Electric Generation; c) Efficiency and Conservation; d) Technology and Communications; e) Infrastructure and Expansion; f) Environmental Issues; g) Research and Development.
22ND ANNUAL ALABAMA WATER RESOURCES CONFERENCE & SYMPOSIUM – SEPT 3-5 / REGISTER NOW
The 22nd Annual Alabama Water Resources Conference and Symposium are Sept. 3-5 at the Perdido Beach Resort.
Visit the web site now to register. All attendees must register for the conference. Registration details at http://auei.auburn.edu/conference/reg.php. Register before August 25, 2008 and save $50.
City of Auburn Offers Glimpse of Auburn Via Live Web Cam
CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp
CITY OF AUBURN — BOARD & COMMISSION VACANCIES
Lee County Youth Development Center — One vacancy to be filled at the Sept 16 city council meeting.
Industrial Development Board (IDB) – Two vacancies to be filed at the October 7 city council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact the City Council and/or the City Manager’s office.
AUBURN PRESERVATION LEAGUE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST – SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH AUG. 30
The Auburn Preservation League—in partnership with the Auburn Arts Association and the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center—is sponsoring a photography contest with subjects featuring Auburn’s historic sites and structures.
· Open to all 18 years of age and older
· Focus: historic structures and sites inside Auburn city limits [excepting Auburn University]
· Subjects to include existing, endangered, and no-longer-existing historical sites and structures
· 3-judge panel: Ingrid Brown [Villager Framing and Gallery]; Bob Sanders [Image House]; Michael Robinson [AU Architecture]
· 3 prize categories; 4 purchase awards
· Deadline: August 30
· Exhibition Reception: Friday, September 19, Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center
For more information: www.auburnpreservationleague.org.
PROPOSED GRANITE QUARRY IN WADLEY, RANDOLPH COUNTY – PUBLIC COMMENTS THROUGH SEPT. 12, 2008
NOTE: This quarry will likely impact the Tallapoosa River and an associated tributary. It could also hold water on the watershed and could potentially remove water from the river based on existing laws. Please feel free to comment based on your experiences.
PUBLIC NOTICE – 210/330; ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT; COMBINED NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT AND AIR PERMIT – REQUEST FOR COMMENTS; RANDOLPH COUNTY.
Cleveland Rock, LLC, has submitted air and water permit applications for a proposed granite quarry, with associated processing equipment, located on Randolph County Road 838, 0.8 miles east of the intersection of State Highway 77 and County Road 838, north of Wadley, in Randolph County. –Cleveland Rock, LLC, P.O. Box 27, Wadley, AL 36276, Wadley Quarry, NPDES Permit Number AL0079456, located in Wadley, AL, for issuance of a permit for proposed discharges of treated drainage from a crushed stone mine, wet preparation, and associated areas to an unnamed tributary to the Tallapoosa River and the Tallapoosa River, both classified for Fish & Wildlife, in the Tallapoosa River Basin. The Department has tentatively determined that the proposed actions described in this notice are consistent with the Water Quality Rules including the Department’s Anti-degradation Rules.
–Cleveland Rock, LLC has also applied for an Air Permit, Facility No. 308-0029, which would authorize the construction and operation of a granite crushing, screening, and conveying operation. Emissions of particulate matter would be minimized by the use of wet suppression. The Department has also tentatively determined that the limitations proposed by the company would properly limit air emissions and would satisfy the requirements of the Department’s Air Pollution Control Rules.
–Copies of the draft permits, conditions, and limitations as applicable are available for public inspection electronically via http://www.adem.state.al.us/PublicNotice/PublicNotice.htm, and at the following location(s) Monday – Friday (except legal holidays), 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. A nominal fee for copying and/or mailing may be charged. Arrangements for copying should be made in advance.
Russell A. Kelly, Chief, Permits and Services Division, ADEM, 1400 Coliseum Blvd. [Mailing address: PO Box 301463; Zip 36130-1463], Montgomery, Alabama 36110-2059; (334) 271-7714
–Persons wishing to comment may do so, in writing, to the Department’s named contact above. In order to affect final decisions, comments must offer technically substantial information that is applicable to the proposed permit.
–A written request for a public hearing may also be filed within that 30-day period and must state the nature of the issues proposed to be raised in the hearing. The Director may schedule a public hearing if it is found, on the basis of hearing requests, that there exists a significant degree of public interest in issues related to the draft permits which fall within ADEM’s statutory authority. The Director may also hold a hearing if he determines that it would clarify one or more issues involved in the permit decision.
–After consideration of all written comments, review of any public hearing record, and consideration of the requirements of the Alabama Air Pollution Control Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and applicable regulations, the Department will make a final determination. The Department will develop a response to comments, which will become part of the public record and will be available to persons upon request. Notice will be sent to any person requesting notice of the final action.
–The Department maintains a list of interested individuals who are mailed legal notices regarding proposed permits. If you wish to receive such notices, contact the Permits & Services Division via telephone (334-271-7714), e-mail (permitsmail@adem.state.al.us), or postal service (P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, AL 36130-1463).
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Thanks for your interest and support.
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/