NORTH MOUNTAIN WEST VIRGINIA

NORTH MOUNTAIN

WEST VIRGINIA

CARE

Citizens Alliance for a Responsible Environment

Caring for the Land, Water, Forests, Air, History and the People of North Mountain

CARE - PO Box 245, Gerrardstown, WV 25420

NORTH MOUNTAIN WEST VIRGINIA

moderator@northmountain.org

INFORMATION

wv logo We would like to keep it that way

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A place for communications for citizens involved and interested in the proposed quarry operation in the Gerrardstown West Virginia area.

Documents, Maps and Posters related to the area and the quarry project

Water fall on North Mountain

NOTE - You must have Adobe read er software to view many of the images connected to the linked files.

DEP COMMENTS <<>>

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The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection publishes a booklet about submitting comments (link below).
Please observe the DEP rules for submitting comments and conduct of the hearing.
PDF file requires Adobe Reader
Quarry Location
The new application to operate as a quarry is indicated in the map below. This new application is in it's initial phase of review by the WVDEP. More information will be posted as available.

May 9, 2008 Application Map

Updated Oct 2008 Application Map
The quarry area has been modified in the application from the original area, May 9, 2008
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Page 1 of application.
Quarry Area
The potential mining area for slate.
While this initial hearing is only
for a small section of the total,
it is just the start of a massive quarry

click here for larger image
Gerrardstown Aerial Photo 1

Satellite view of affected area of North Mountain. Areas of Gerrardstown and surrounding property and of top part of Glenwood Forest whose wells depend on water held within the mountain.
Public hearing
The public hearing has taken place.
Picket May 10-2008
Our Protest to Save North Mountain

On Saturday, May 10, 2008 the grassroots organization known as the Citizens Alliance for a Responsible Environment merged forces with concerned environmentalists, citizens and residents of Berkeley and Jefferson County to protest the proposed North Mountain Quarry to be built in residential Gerrardstown. Our water supply, clean air, wildlife and beautiful environment are all in jeopardy should this proposal proceed further.

Lots of folks came out to raise their voices in front of "Continental Brick" located on Route 9 in Martinsburg. (Continental Brick is operating in Gerrardstown under the name of "North Mountain Shale, LLC" and is the backer of this project.)

Let's save our mountain and protect
our environment from this
devastating proposition!

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Government contacts

Contact your state Senator and District Delegate!!! Check the West Virginia Senate District or Delegate District map for who that is if you are not sure.

Let the Berkeley County Commission know what you think!

It does not hurt to send an email to Senator Byrd or Senator Rockefeller and
there is also Congresswoman Capito, Congressman Mollohan and
Congressman Rahall.

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Our representatives

Senator Clark S. Barnes (R - Randolph)
Minority Whip
District 15

Capitol Address:
Room 203W, Building 1
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305

Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7973
Business Phone: NA
E-mail: cbarnes@mail.wvnet.edu

Senator Walt Helmick (D - Pocahontas)
District 15
Capitol Address:
Room 465M, Building 1
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305

Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7980
Business Phone: NA
E-mail: whelmick@mail.wvnet.edu

Delegate Jonathan Miller (R - Berkeley)
District 53
Capitol Address:
Room 6R, Building 1
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305

Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3147
Business Phone: (304) 283-5975
E-mail: jonathan@delegatejmiller.com

Senator John Unger II (D - Berkeley)

District 16

Capitol Address:
Room 216W, Building 1
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305

Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7933
Business Phone: (304) 357-7933
E-mail: john.unger@wvsenate.gov

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Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay Monitoring keeps track of what is happening to the bay

The Chesapeake Bay Program works at restoring and protecting the watersheds
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The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983
Glenwood Forest Water Wells
The quarry's removal of shale is most likely to disrupt the drinking water wells supplying over 300 homes, close to 1000 people. The removal of the earth overburden and then the underlying shale is directly in line with the operating levels of Glenwood Forest's wells. Berkeley County operates the wells and disruption will either cause the need for new wells to be found or safe water to be trucked in. Guess who will pay that bill? Glenwood Forest residents!!

Enter a detailed description of your product or service. You can add as much text as you like, and even add images to illustrate your offering. Tell your visitors why they should buy from you! Add a new section for each product or service.
Protect North Mountain
Southern Berkeley County's Water reservoir

DIAL UP LINE USERS

Some areas of this site contain very large files and may take time to come through to dial up internet users.

You may want to consider the North Mountain Group web site for faster information. Not many pictures but the information is there.

Click Here for North Mountain Group Page

Report Illegal Dump Sites

WV Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) developed a web-based form that can be used to notify DEP officials of local dump sites. Complaints can be made anonymously or you can include your name and address or telephone number so that an investigator can contact you if needed. By reporting open dumps, individuals not only help to beautify our state, but also help to put a stop to the degradation of our land.

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The flow of discharge from the quarry will

affect numerous communities from Gerrardstown

to Bunker Hill and beyond

click for larger image

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West Virginia Environmental Council

The West Virginia Environmental Council facilitates communication and cooperation among citizens in promoting environmental protection in West Virginia, to assist in organizing grass roots groups, to facilitate interaction among established environmental organizations, and to correspond with all appropriate local, state, and federal agencies involved in the management of West Virginia's environment.

Karst Geology of Berkeley County

The Source Water Assessment

and Protection (SWAP) Project Report

for Berkeley County.

The SWAP Project reports that the Karst

Geology of Berkeley County consists of

a ribbon of carbonate geology running

through Berkeley County. It is notable

as a major source of groundwater.

It is a zone of high yield (most major wells-

are located in it), it is also an area where

pollutants may be able to quickly

penetrate groundwater stores.

click here for larger image

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Opequon Creek Project

The Opequon Creek Project purpose is to act as an advocate and steward of the Opequon watershed and to undertake projects that will lead to reduction in pollutants (primarily nutrients, sediment, fecal coliform bacteria, and trash) entering the Opequon Creek and its tributaries in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia.

The Opequon Creek Watershed. The tributary purposed for runoff of the quarry travels through Mill Creek to the Opequon.

The tributary that is being purposed as drainage for the quarry site is only a little more than a foot side in places.

That is a 15 inch wrench

One of the ponds that is affected

by runoff from the quarry site.

The tributary that feeds this farm

pond and continues off

on the way to Mill Creek

click for larger image

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The impact on water runoff from rainfall will

be affected by the progressive removal of

large amounts of trees and underlying

vegetation.

click on image to enlarge

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North Mountain Shale Stormwater Application

Application document filed with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for draining stormwater runoff from quarry into Mill Creek. This is the application filed that is related to the May 14, 2008 hearing.

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