Lehigh Hanson’s cement quarry close to Cupertino, as seen in 2009. (Dai Sugano, Mercury Information)
A serious quarry and cement plant within the hills west of Cupertino which have constructed freeways, dams and buildings throughout Northern California for generations — but in addition sparked controversy over air pollution and noise — may very well be bought and shut down by Santa Clara County, below a plan made public Thursday.
Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian introduced a proposal to require Santa Clara County officers to situation a report in 90 days spelling out choices for buying the Lehigh Hanson property, together with negotiating with its house owners or seizing the land by eminent area.
Calling the quarry “a historic anachronism,” Simitian stated at a mid-morning information convention that the positioning may very well be higher used for open house, with probably some housing.
“This is a chance to answer the very professional issues of the group, which we’ve been listening to about over time,” stated Simitian, whose district contains the quarry.
“It’s a chance to preserve the land,” he stated, “in a method that's per the open house values that I feel are important to the place that we're right here in Silicon Valley.”
Any public buy of the property, also called the Permanente quarry, would seemingly price tens of thousands and thousands of dollars. A pressured sale might spark years of authorized battles. Simitian stated funds may very well be raised by means of a parks bond, by means of housing growth proceeds or different strategies.
Lehigh Hanson owns 3,510 acres across the quarry, an space thrice the scale of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
The corporate, primarily based in Irving, Texas, is owned by Heidelberg Cement, a multi-billion-dollar German firm. It's prepared to speak, it stated Thursday afternoon.
“The Permanente cement plant and quarry have been and stay key contributors to the native economic system and very important suppliers to crucial Bay Space development initiatives,” Lehigh Hanson spokesman Jeff Sieg stated in a press release. “As we consider optimum reclamation approaches and the way forward for the property typically, we stay up for listening to the county’s concepts that respect each the group pursuits and Lehigh’s property rights, in addition to assist create a extra sustainable future.”
The Lehigh plant opened in 1939 and was established by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser. In latest a long time, it has produced greater than half the cement used within the Bay Space and 70% of the cement utilized in Santa Clara County.
Its cement constructed Shasta Dam, Freeway 101, Freeway 85 and different main Northern California landmarks.
However the facility, whose kilns warmth limestone to 2,750 levels, additionally has been one of many Bay Space’s largest polluters, rating at or close to the highest of Bay Space industrial websites for emissions of greenhouse gases and airborne mercury.
Its present allow requires the big open pit limestone mine to be “reclaimed,” or restored, by 2032. In 2019, the corporate utilized to the county for an extension, looking for to increase the quarry. The county has not granted it, and final February, the corporate sued the county over the delays.
On Thursday, Simitian famous that different quarry initiatives have been transformed into spectacular public amenities.
He cited the Dumbarton Quarry in Fremont, a former gravel pit that was 320 toes deep, and in operation from the Fifties till 2007. The huge gap was crammed in and final August opened as a brand new public campground after years of debate.
Fremont metropolis officers agreed to permit the Dumbarton Quarry to function 10 years previous its permitted 1997 closure date in change for the proprietor, Dumbarton Quarry Associates, designing, setting up and paying for a park and campgrounds on the web site. The campground at the moment is run by the East Bay Regional Park District. It has 63 areas for tents and RVs, picnic areas, a playground, 200-seat amphitheater, restrooms, showers and trails.
Native officers joined Simitian Thursday to endorse the thought of the general public buying the Cupertino quarry.
“Through the years we’ve had an amazing quantity of truck visitors frequently,” stated Cupertino Mayor Darcy Paul. “There are fumes related to the mines, and while you go to our communities, individuals get up within the morning and see a extremely thick layer of mud on their automobiles. Water high quality has been a difficulty. For us it’s a matter of well being.”
Environmentalists endorsed the plan. They stated they hope some or all the property, which abuts the Rancho San Antonio Open Area Protect, could be acquired for parkland.
“Defending the open house would have nice advantages for wildlife, and for individuals climbing in acceptable areas,” stated Brian Schmidt, legislative advocacy director of Inexperienced Foothills, an environmental group in Palo Alto. “Much more dramatically, it is a likelihood to return a whole lot of acres from moonscape situations to vibrant habitat.”
In latest a long time, different Bay Space quarries that after constructed roads, dams, airport runways and different amenities have closed. Right now a few dozen stay within the Bay Space, with cement additionally coming from others in Redding, Southern California and Canada.
A number of labor leaders additionally supported Simitian’s plan, which can be taken up Tuesday by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. They stated the variety of union jobs on the Cupertino quarry has dwindled.
“The Teamsters have been working vehicles at this plant for 80 years,” stated Eddie Venancio, enterprise consultant with the Teamsters Native 853. “Our employees additionally reside in the neighborhood and stay up for the restoration of the property, which is able to create good paying jobs for a few years.”