Mad River Neighborhood Association

Moretown Quarry Proposal Threatens Neighborhood Serenity, Safety & Property Values

Background

• May 17,2004, Waitsfield resident Rich Rivers submitted an application for a stone mining and crushing operation on land he owns in the heart of the lower Mad River neighborhood. Entrance to this proposed quarry is less than 1 mile south of the Ward Swimming hole on 100B.
• December 10, 2004, The Moretown Development Review Board (DRB) denied this application. Click here for addtional information.
• January 7, 2005, Rivers Development, LLC appealed the DRB decision to the Environmental Court.
• October 18, 2005 - Rivers Development filed his Act 250 application.
• January 19, 2007 - The District Commission denied Rivers Development's request for the Moretown Rock Quarry. They denied this permit based on Criterion 1(air) and Criterion 10 (Town Plan). Click here for additional information.
• March 29, 2007 - After receiving two District Commission denials of his Act250 permit, Rivers Development LLC filed a Notice of Appeal, Statement of Questions and Notice to Activate Docket # 7-0-05-Vtec with the Environmental Court. Click here to get latest information on the appeal process.

Mr. Rivers has long been a respected member of the community. He is friend to several neighbors near the site. We know of no one who thinks ill of Rich personally and all understand that his right to pursue the use of his property, as he sees fit, should be respected and protected, as long as it does not adversely affect the quality of life and the value of the community and his neighbors’ health, peace and property values.

There are unfortunately, many reasons why Mr. Rivers' industrial mining operation plan is in conflict with those tenets and the town plan’s specified use for this agricultural / residential community. Fortunately, there are alternate uses for the land that can protect Mr. Rivers from suffering loss on his investment to date. To learn more, please read on.

General Concerns
Many members of the community and outside experts have expressed concern about this rock mining quarry for the following reasons:

Increased traffic on 100B

A maximum of 108 truck trips a day (average of 72) would represent a huge increase in truck traffic. This was an issue specifically noted in the town plan as already a threat to the safety and recreational enjoyment of the corridor at current traffic levels. Raising truck traffic would greatly reduce the safety of the corridor for motorists, bikers, hikers, in-line skaters, horse riders, fishermen and wildlife (ironically, Mr. River’s parents struck and killed a bear on route 100B in 2002 very near the site of the proposed quarry).

Noise

According to authorities, rock crushing operations generate noise equivalent to a locomotive. That means that residents within the 100B corridor will be subjected to the constant noise of the crusher during all hours of operation. In addition, the noise of loaded dump trucks braking to enter and accelerating when leaving the site will echo up and down the valley. Trucks leaving Moretown village 2 miles away from the site can clearly be heard by neighbors today, which indicates that the mining trucks will be heard from the village to beyond the swimming hole. The instantaneous noise of drill startup and truck loading will make operation of the neighboring horse facilities dangerous.

Blasting

Mr. Rivers conducted test blasts in the summer of 2003. Mrs Holden, the closest neighbor, had her home shake from the test. The applicant's own blasting expert testified that it would not be safe for the Holdens to be outside on their property during blasts. Also, during the test blast, a horseback rider at Sainsbury’s stable found herself on top of a suddenly running and bucking mount. Several horses at Gould’s (a mile from the site) ran through their fences along 100B. Some required veterinary care for injuries received. Riders at Mad River Stable could not ride for considerable time due to the agitation of their horses. Dogs at Sainsbury’s Labrador Kennel were greatly scared. If blasting continues on a regular basis, it is highly questionable whether these current residential and business operations could safely continue.

Water pollution

Several neighbors have wells in proximity to the operation that may be affected. Ground and surface water pollution could affect the Mad River. The site is only a few hundred yards uphill from the river, and only a mile upstream from the Ward Fishing and Swim park.

Air pollution

The site clearing, bulldozing, drilling, blasting, rock crushing and diesel trucks can produce great amounts of air pollution that would settle in the valley. Frequent weather inversions will trap these pollutants impacting the health of the community.

Property Values

Based on input from realtors and appraisers, the sights and sounds of the operation and its impact on safety and serenity in the valley will have a devastating impact on the value of the properties near the site -- and potentially on those in the entire lower Mad River community as the quarry site is located along one of the most scenic sectors of the Mad River.

Alternative Use

When Mr. Rivers initially visited his neighbors about the uses of his land, he spoke about a limited number of home sites, and selling off the stone and timber that would be yielded when the home sites and roads were created. During the Act 250 process, Mr. Rivers filed results of a soil test that indicates there is septic capacity for 10 to twelve homes. Mr. Rivers has proven himself over and over to be an exceptional home builder with an excellent reputation. This and other possible solutions are likely available to Mr. Rivers to ensure that he profits from his investment in the land.

How to Help

• Make a donation so that experts can be hired and data can be obtained.
• Offer to help with gathering information, fundraising and building awareness.
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Thank You!

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