Beginning in 2003, a long process was begun with recognized independent Experts to determine, what if any impact, would be realized by the Blue Rock Quarry project. (Recognized Experts are scholarly professionals who have been reviewed by their peers. Their works are considering automatically substantiated in many courts of law.) After 5 years, these independent experts from across numerous fields of study submitted their reports. The conclusions were quite clear. The proposed quarry would have no impact on the area in regards to water, environment, vibrations, noise or traffic and would not negatively affect the health, safety or welfare of community residents. So what happened?
Biased and other so-called quarry experts were hired by the Town. They had limited experience in several of the areas they were being called on to report but submitted their reports regardless. The Town of Osceola submitted these biased, negative reports to Polk County for deliberation on the 2009 permit request. The County now had two contradicting reports (one from proven peer reviewed experts, one from so-called experts). The county unfortunately placed equal value on the two conflicting reports and did not secure a third source.
After lengthy hearings, the County decided on a vote. With a 4 panel ruling, the vote remained tied at 2/2 for a significant period of time. Finally, one of the yes votes announced “it was getting late and the board’s decision would be probably challenged in court regardless”, and he switched his yes vote to no. The results of this one wobbly vote determined that the quarry would not receive its necessary permit and the opportunity to bring over a hundred (direct or indirect) jobs into the community would be discarded. It was a sad day for Polk County and the families who had hoped for a job.
At this same time Polk County was experiencing some of the highest foreclosure rates in the state and desperately needed the jobs and the revenue the quarry would bring in. As predicted, the decision was challenged in two courts but upheld. Not because it was the right decision but rather that Polk County had handled the decision in a lawful manner. The question of who were the real experts and who were not was never considered. (No further testimony or input is allowed in cases when under appeal.)
The local, new Stillwater MN/WI bridge is an excellent example of how a good idea and benefit to an area can go through numerous defeats over 20 years before being agreed to. The Blue Rock Quarry and all the jobs, benefits and progress it brings to the area will not be defeated by a few negative decisions supported by a few negative people. The anti-quarry fears propelled by those who simply don’t want a change in their distant backyard will not stop the progress and the property rights of families wanting to build up their community.
Distinguished peer-reviewed experts, unbiased, and their reports about the Blue Rock Quarry project that they certified as safe; supported by their credentials and reputation:
Report on Air Quality, Blasting, Traffic
Summary of Oct 2009 Public Hearing
Dr. David Braslau, received his B.Sc. Degree in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he specialized in structures and design and completed a thesis on the effects of blast loading on structures. He expanded his work to linear and non-linear acoustics during his masters and doctoral studies at the University of California. Dr. Braslau taught Geophysics at the University of Minnesota in areas of seismicity and geophysical exploration techniques. Following the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act in 1969, he assisted environmental assessment techniques in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Minnesota, primarily in noise and air dispersion.
Dr. Hans Olaf Pfannkuch (American Institute of Hydrology). His career spanned 42 years of teaching, research, and service to students at the University of Minnesota and various groundwater organizations. At the University of Minnesota, he established one of the first groundwater programs in the United States and taught courses in hydrogeology, environmental geology, contaminant transport, and water policy. He trained and guided many of the groundwater professionals currently in practice in Minnesota. Recently he received a prestigious Life Member Award from the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) Since coming to Minnesota he has been active in a wide variety of applied research projects dealing with groundwater and surface water, and related environmental implications.
Blue Rock Quarry 