Quarry closes in dispute with Air Quality Management
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Johnston said Findleton is currently facing a penalty of $368 for a violation notice served in February and he has until March 21 to meet with them and provide evidence that the violation is incorrect. If the issue is not settled, he said it would be referred to county counsel. In the meantime, the quarry remains closed, Findleton feels a victim of government excess, and four people are still out of work.
When do regulations to protect the public health go too far and public agencies become more of a hindrance than a help? ...
“You see, these people don’t care if you make any money or not. They want their part first. So it’s OK for me to risk my capital, my effort, as long as I pay them. Whether I succeed or fail is beside the point.”
Findleton decided to push ahead anyway and paid what he thought were all the fees and filed all the paperwork needed to reopen the quarry.
“We researched and tried to follow all the requirements because I didn’t want any problems,” he said. Those requirements included posting a $100,000 bond and preparing a reclamation plan, paying back fees and taxes amounting to $20,000, and complying with all the regulations of the State Mining and Geology Board.
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Findleton said during the visit he asked the officer from AQMD if she could see any dust, but she said no. The officer went on to say that she thought he needed a permit for the wash plant although Findleton believed the quarry to be exempt. At that point, he asked the officer to leave, but according to him, she responded by threatening to make his life miserable if he wouldn’t cooperate...
http://www.mtdemocrat.com/news/quarry-closes-in-dispute-with-air-quality-management/
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