A Slate Belt community is looking for ways to make sure quarry fill is environmentally safe.
Plainfield Township officials are contemplating adopting regulations that would help protect against contaminated materials being used to fill inactive quarries in the municipality.
Bethlehem-based Urban Research and Development Corp. last week presented the township Environmental Advisory Council with a report and a proposed draft ordinance regarding the use of clean fill.
“A goal of this project is to promote returning former quarries to a productive use, but in a way that makes sure that the activity occurs in an environmentally safe manner that will protect groundwater, creeks and public health,” the URDC report states.
The township currently does not have regulations specifically dealing with fill, which can be deposits of soil, rock, sand, clay or similar material used to level an area of land or bring an area of land to grade.
Over the years, substantial amounts of materials have been trucked into Pennsylvania from New Jersey and New York because those states have comparatively more restrictive regulations for what is considered clean fill, according to the report.
“The contamination risks are particularly high in quarries that have water or that are close to the water table or where contaminants could reach groundwater or surface waters,” the report states. “It is much more difficult to address contamination after it occurs, and much more difficult to remove contaminated materials than to dump them.”
There are also concerns about the potential contamination of fill used in other projects, particularly residential developments.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regulates fill statewide. Typically, a municipality cannot regulate operational matters already covered by the state.
Therefore, the URDC recommends the township adopt an ordinance that cross-references DEP definitions and contamination standards without trying to write its own scientific standards.
DEP has limited staff available to oversee fill on a regular basis, according to the report. However, by mirroring DEP regulations, the township would be able to utilize its zoning and permitting authority to identify hazardous situations and request an investigation and enforcement by DEP.
The draft ordinance requires a zoning permit be obtained before more than 100 aggregate tons of fill are brought into the township.
If the fill is going to be placed in a quarry that has standing water, a permit would be required for more than 50 aggregate tons of fill.
If more than 500 tons of fill are being brought into the township, a written analysis of the materials from an independent laboratory would need to be provided to the township zoning officer.
Fill headed for a quarry that has standing water or is within 200 feet of a natural lake or perennial waterway would require a special exception approval from the township’s zoning hearing board.
The draft ordinance is subject to change and ultimately needs to be approved by the Plainfield Township Board of Supervisors.
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John Best is a freelance contributor to lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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October 11, 2021 at 06:06PM
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What’s being used to fill abandoned quarries in the Slate Belt? This town wants to know. - lehighvalleylive.com
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