By Chris Ullery
Posted Feb 21, 2020 at 4:28 PM
Naturally occurring asbestos found at the Rockhill Quarry last December was supposed to halt all work at the site, but state officials were alerted to work activity just days ago.
News that the state’s Department of Environmental Protection was alerted to the unauthorized work at the site came Friday from lawmakers and other officials calling on a permanent shutdown of the quarry.
“We are standing today in front of a quarry that is unsafe no matter how it’s operated,” state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-10, Lower Makefield, told a crowd of about 80 people packed near the quarry entrance at 2055 N. Rockhill Road.
Quarry owner Lehigh Hanson first reported finding asbestos to the DEP in December 2018, nearly a year after quarry operator Richard E. Pierson Construction, of Pilesgrove, New Jersey, resumed work after decades of near total inactivity.
The asbestos meant Pierson had to halt work at the site as the state began an investigation determining the potential risks to residents living nearby.
“DEP became aware of unauthorized activity at the quarry that included a front-end loader, transportation of screening material, and the placement of barrels or drums being used to define the quarry,” documents provided by Santarsiero’s office states.
On Friday, neighbors and residents carried signs reading “Asbestos kills, stop the quarry” and similar slogans in the cold, but sunny February afternoon.
The public opposition to the quarry came almost immediately after work resumed about three years ago.
Post by: https://www.theintell.com/news/20200221/dep-alleges-unauthorized-quarry-activity-in-rockhill