Holbert Brothers quarry seeks expansion

Upper Delaware Council opposes expansion based on conflicts with River Management Plan and Lackawaxen Township Zoning Ordinance

By SANDY LONG

NARROWSBURG, NY — During its monthly meeting on February 7, the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) approved a comment letter to the Lackawaxen Township Supervisors opposing the Holbert Brothers Bluestone Conditional Use Permit Application, which seeks to expand two five-acre mining permits into one 40-acre major mining permit.

The UDC based its comments on the role it plays in the implementation of the River Management Plan (RMP) for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (UDSRR), which is a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Voting members include the states of New York and Pennsylvania, as well as 11 local governments that border on the Upper Delaware River, including Lackawaxen Township. The UDC operates under a contractual relationship with the National Park Service in respect to the RMP.

One of the UDC’s chief objections relates to the location of the proposed expansion. The letter states, “The 268.77-acre property, including all of the proposed 40-acre major mining expansion, is located within the nationally designated Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor, a unit of the National Park System.” It continues, “Since the property is located in the UDSRR corridor, the Lackawaxen Township Zoning Ordinance regulations for both the RU (Rural) district and the DRC (Delaware River Corridor) overlay district apply to the proposal.”

The UDC acknowledged the historical significance that bluestone quarrying has played in the river valley and recognizes its economic importance, but stated it should be continued in accordance with the RMP. The “Land and Water Use Guidelines” in the RMP provide for “Minor Surface Mining Operations” not exceeding two acres of active face at one time, but prohibit “Major Surface Mining Operations” exceeding two acres of active operations within the river corridor.

According to the UDC letter, the Lackawaxen Township Zoning Ordinance is based on the RMP guidelines and therefore questions how a conditional use can be granted for a use that is specifically prohibited by the ordinance.

Heavy industrial uses are also prohibited in the RMP within the river corridor. Information provided by the applicant states, “This will be a major crushing operation; blasted rock will be crushed and screened and stock piled for shipment by trucks for use in the construction industry.”

The application also states that the quarry hopes to attract up to 60 trucks per day and specifies that between 20 and 60 trucks currently pass the Holbert Quarry entrance, though only five to 10 originate there. The UDC suggests that PennDOT be consulted for evaluation of road and safety issues.

The letter concludes, “...we strongly recommend denial of the application.” A conditional use hearing was scheduled for February 12 by the Lackawaxen Township Board of Supervisors to consider the application.