|
The Zoning Hearing Board Said No! |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Lori Sickenberger
|
|
Monday, 11 March 2019 11:52 |
|
Happy New Year. We ended 2018 on a high note when the Lower Milford Township Zoning Hearing Board unanimously voted against the quarry by denying their special exception application for mining in Lower Milford Township! This was a tremendous victory, but we knew in our hearts the battle wasn’t over yet. We were pretty sure that Geryville Materials would appeal the Zoning Hearing Board’s decision to the higher courts. On January 14, 2019, Geryville Materials filed a Notice of Land Use appeal with the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. What does this mean? It means that the fight isn’t over. We have authorized the LMRA attorneys to intercede on our behalf and fight the appeal. Once a date is set for the hearing, the LMRA, our attorney and the Township’s attorney will be there fighting for you and for Lower Milford Township. Trial costs will be high, but it is worth it. After the Lehigh Courts hear the appeal, there will be appeals to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In summary, we are looking at 3 more hearings that will take place over approximately the next 3 years. So fundraising activities must continue. Ways you can help the LMRA raise money are:
1. Renew your LMRA membership (the membership drive will be first quarter 2019)
2. Encourage friends and neighbors to join the LMRA – make sure you tell them that we maintain strictest confidentiality with our members’ information. We DO NOT release or sell this information to ANYONE.
3. Tell new neighbors about the LMRA
4. Save your grocery receipts from Redner’s Markets and send them to the LMRA
5. Designate the Lower Milford Residents Association as your charitable organization when you shop on SmileAmazon.com
6. Designate the LMRA as your charitable organization on Goodsearch.com and Goodshop.com when you do internet searches and buy products on line
7. Make a tax-deductible charitable donation to the LMRA
8. Designate the LMRA for a matching charitable contribution if your company matches contributions to 501(c)3 charitable organizations
9. Support our election day bake sales by either baking, buying or helping sell products
10. Buy flowers during our Spring Flower fundraiser event
11. Buy or sell LMRA cookbooks
12. If you have friends or family members with a local business, ask them if they would be willing to display and sell our cookbook. If they are willing, let us know and we will get a supply to them,
13. Help us come up with fund raising ideas – we are open to any type of suggestion |
|
How Much Dust can a Quarry Blast Create? |
|
|
|
|
Written by Lori Sickenberger
|
|
Monday, 20 February 2017 20:54 |
Quarry operations have a profound affect on air contamination. Dust from quarrying can be found around the quarry and road where it is transported. Worse yet, the most dangerous particulate is transmitted for several miles. This small particulate lodges in lungs and can cause long term chronic medical problems.
This video (taken in 2008) depicts the blasting, quarry dust and noise at the Highway Materials quarry in Green Lane, PA and its effect on bordering homeowners. Open the following link to see view the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-vLTFKu8zw&t=203s
This second video (taken in 2008) depicts the blasting, quarry dust and noise at the Highway Materials quarry in Green Lane, PA and its effect on bordering homeowners. Open the following link to see view the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBwetUojU8Y
|
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 February 2017 00:35 |
|
Saving, "The Jewel of the Lehigh Valley" Go Fund Me Campaign |
|
|
|
|
Written by Lori Sickenberger
|
|
Thursday, 15 December 2016 13:18 |
|
The Lower Milford Residents Association (LMRA) has started a GoFundMe campaign to help protect the “Jewel of the Lehigh Valley” from quarry developers.
For over twelve years, the LMRA has been battling a proposed 600+ acre quarry that would decimate what has been described as “The Jewel of Lehigh Valley.” Tucked among the rolling hills of Eastern Pennsylvania, the land in Lower Milford Township is defined by its narrow, winding roads threading through century-old historic stone homes, forested acres of land, streams, farmland, wetlands, and dairy farms. The quarry plans, which include an asphalt plant and concrete distribution facility, threaten the quality of the groundwater and the air; put at risk the endangered bog turtles and Eastern brown bats; threaten the brown trout in nearby streams; and damage the ambiance of what approximately 3,700 people call home. To date, the LMRA and the township have managed to fend off numerous quarry suits and appeals. Please help save this unique jewel of eastern Pennsylvania from quarry developers.
The LMRA is a 501c-3 not-for-profit organization made up of residents—ordinary citizens—determined to promote and protect the quality of life in and around Lower Milford Township, PA. Please help. To a group accustomed to raising money for legal fees by selling cookies, cakes, flowers, and Poinsettias to families throughout rural Pennsylvania, no check is too small.
Thank you! To learn more visit: https://www.gofundme.com/saving-the-jewel-of-lehigh-valley?ssid=840418640&pos=1
|
|
Saving, "The Jewel of the Lehigh Valley" |
|
|
|
|
Written by Lori Sickenberger
|
|
Monday, 05 December 2016 02:18 |
|
Our 12 year quarry battle has reached across the state lines to Michigan. Mary McKSchmidt, a write, photographer and Great Lakes Advocate has heard our story. She was so deeply moved that she wrote a blog, telling our story to readers across the United States. You can read her blog at http://www.marymckschmidt.com/blog
As stated by Mary in her blog:
Every once in a while I hear a story that inspires, that reminds me that when we choose to work arm-in-arm to protect that which we hold dear, we can accomplish what feels like the impossible.
This is such a story.
For over twelve years, a group of citizens has been battling a proposed 600+ acre quarry that would decimate what has been described as “The Jewel of Lehigh Valley.” Tucked among the rolling hills of Eastern Pennsylvania, the land in Lower Milford Township is defined by its narrow, winding roads threading through century-old historic stone homes, forested acres of land, streams, farmland, wetlands, and dairy farms. The quarry plans, which include an asphalt plant and concrete distribution facility, threaten the quality of the groundwater and the air; put at risk the endangered bog turtles and Eastern brown bats; threaten the brown trout in nearby streams; and damage the ambiance of what approximately 3,700 people call home.
Since 2004, this relatively small group of people has kept a Goliath of seemingly infinite resources at bay, fending off seventeen separate quarry suits and appeals. But while the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has twice ruled in favor of the people, the lawsuits and appeals from Geryville Materials continue. It appears the company’s strategy is to wear down the people, to financially bankrupt those standing in the way of the quarry.
While the sword of the average warrior would be dulled and chipped from so many years of conflict, the woman with whom I spoke exuded great passion and a fierce commitment to persevere. I could feel her energy; see her and the team battling through endless public hearings, dissertations, and courtroom arguments. She has my respect, my admiration, and my love.
She is Rubin’s sister.
Life worth protecting
A 200-year old dairy farm operated by father and daughters. Owner, protesting the proposed quarry, testified, "a happy cow is a productive cow."
|
As you consider year-end tax-deductible contributions, please consider donating to the Lower Milford Residents Association, a 501c-3 not-for-profit organization. To a group accustomed to raising money for legal fees by selling cookies, cakes, flowers, and Poinsettias to families throughout rural Pennsylvania, no check is too small. Mail your tax-deductible donation to:
Lower Milford Residents Association (LMRA)
PO Box 138
Limeport, PA 18060
While this is not a Great Lakes battle, it is a fight to protect the water, the air, the land, and life on this planet. To learn more visit:
http://www.lowermilfordra.org.
Thank you for considering this very personal request for help.
|
|
|
Last Updated on Monday, 05 December 2016 02:25 |
|
|
Written by Lori Sickenberger
|
|
Thursday, 01 December 2016 17:48 |
|
Just in time for the holidays! The LMRA is selling beautiful poinsettias, wreaths, and logs. Decorate your home for the holidays with these beautiful plants, wreaths, and logs. The plants also make beautiful gifts.
Orders are due by Friday, December 9 and will be available for pick up on Thursday, December 15 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Lower Milford Township Building. Simply print the attached order form and mail to LMRA, PO Box 138, Limeport, PA 18060. If you are unable to pick up your order on the 15th, we may be able to accommodate you by providing an alternate date and pick up location. Call Ron at 267-923-9113 or Lori at 215-679-6604 if you have any questions.
|
|
DEP issues Deficiency Letter to Geryville Materials |
|
|
|
|
Written by Lori Sickenberger
|
|
Friday, 30 October 2015 02:18 |
|
Quarry Litigation Update: On October 22, 2015, the DEP issued a "Deficiency" letter to Geryville Materials regarding their proposed surface mining permit application. The letter is a follow-up to their mining application and the June 2015 public meeting that was held in the Lower Milford Township meeting room. The DEP listed 95 significant deficiencies that were found in Geryville's application. Geryville has 30 days from receipt of the letter to respond to the DEP and notify the DEP with the expected amount of time they anticipate needing to address the deficiencies. If Geryville ignores the request, or fails to respond to all of the deficiencies listed, their application may be denied. |
|
|
Written by Lori Sickenberger
|
|
Sunday, 16 October 2016 21:16 |
|
After a prolonged period of hearing postponements, Zoning Hearings have started up again. Geryville Materials (GM) is wrapping up their testimony before the Township Zoning Hearing board. Once their testimony is completed, the Township and the LMRA will have the opportunity to give testimony and present arguments against the quarry. LMRA board members are frequently asked, “When will this quarry battle be over?” It’s a good question, and a difficult one to answer. Why? This quarry battle has been a lengthy, complex legal procedure. Since 2004, Geryville Materials filed multiple applications with the Township. All application arguments must be heard by the appropriate township boards and legal decisions/rulings made. The major applications/challenges and their status are as follows:
August 2004: GM filed a Special Exception with the Zoning Hearing Board to quarry 628 acres of land. They abandoned this application request in July 2009. Special exception request closed.
November 2004: GM filed a Curative Amendment Substantive Challenge with the Board of Supervisors for 628 acres of land, seeking relief from the township’s “restrictive” zoning ordinances. This challenge was denied by the Board of Supervisors in February 2012, and appealed all the way to the PA Supreme Court. In December 2014, the PA Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal, thereby closing the case, Curative Amendment denied.
June 2009: GM filed a preliminary Land Development Plan with the Planning Commission for an 84+ acre quarry. The Planning Commission denied the plan in September 2011. Geryville appealed to the higher courts. In July 2014, the courts ruled that the Planning Commission must accept the preliminary plan and included 25 conditions that must be met before the final plan can be accepted. One of these conditions is GM must receive zoning approval for a quarry, which they still have not obtained.
September 2009: GM filed a Special Exception application with the Zoning Hearing Board for 84+ acre quarry. This application is still being heard before the Zoning Hearing Board. As testimony is ongoing, no decision has been made. However, once a decision is made by the Zoning Hearing Board, all parties will have the rights to appeal the decision before the higher courts. The appeal process with the higher courts could take several years.
The next Zoning Hearing is on October 20, 2016 at 7 pm at the Township building. Hearings are open to the public. |
|
Written by Lori Sickenberger
|
|
Wednesday, 26 August 2015 23:56 |
|
Thank you to everyone who attended the June 3, 2015 Department of Environmental Protection Public Meeting at the Township Building. Also, thank you to everyone who submitted letters and surveys opposing the proposed quarry to the DEP. We hope to have a response from the DEP by the end of September. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 1 of 3 |
