FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
August 13, 2019
For More Information, Contact:
Gabriel Carhart
(408) 299-5050 office
(650) 740-9399 cell
gabriel.carhart@bos.sccgov.org
COUNTY BOOSTS
OVERSIGHT CAPACITY AT LEHIGH
CEMENT PLANT AND QUARRY
SAN JOSE – The Santa
Clara County Board of Supervisors today voted to increase funding for oversight
at Lehigh Cement Plan and Quarry in the Cupertino Foothills.
In a unanimous vote, the Board increased
funding for a contract with Ascent Environmental to provide professional
planning oversight of the quarry, which is in the process of applying for a new
mining pit.
“A project of this size and scope
requires particular care, which is why we’ve increased our investment in
expertise,” said Board President Joe Simitian, whose Fifth District includes
the quarry. “Today’s vote demonstrates our Board’s commitment to getting it
right.”
The Board approved an increase in the
contract amount from $366,608 to $593,804. All costs will be reimbursed by
Lehigh Southwest Cement Company.
Lehigh Permanente Quarry is a surface
mining operation located in the unincorporated area of the City of Cupertino.
In May, Lehigh applied to expand mining operations within the main pit and in a
new area southwest of the Rock Plant. That application is currently under
review by the County’s Planning Department.
The expanded consulting contract
approved today will help manage the application and provide planning and
environmental expertise.
After returning to the
Board of Supervisors in 2013, Simitian asked the County to step up its
oversight role by increasing on-site inspections, and organized biannual
coordination meetings involving all local, state, and federal agencies with
jurisdiction over Lehigh operations. Simitian also hosts a yearly community
meeting where residents can have their questions answered and hear from the
regulatory agencies directly.
“Given that at least eight
regulatory agencies have a role to play at the site it’s particularly important
that we have the expertise available – right from the start – to ensure a
thorough, comprehensive review,” said Simitian.
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