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Cavaliere Industries Faces Opposition A Darien, Conn., Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was disrupted by a local resident who took the floor to protest a "po‐ tentially loud stone‐ crushing operation" that would take place at a transfer station, according to the Darien News. Al‐ though the site is cur‐ rently used for the disposal of refuse asphalt, concrete, rock and dirt, Robert Steeger, director of public works, is hoping that the town will allow a private contractor to crush the 5,000 tons of material currently located at the site and remove it from the station. D.J. Cavaliere of Cavaliere Industries said his equip‐ ment would be far quieter than the equipment used at other operations. In closing remarks, M. Reese Hutchison III, secretary of the Planning and Zoning Commission, stated, "It may be an imposition to some of the neighbors but it make sense outside of that." No decision by the commission has been made as of yet. E House Bill Moves U.S. into 21st Century for Mine Permitting The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act (H.R. 4402), a measure designed to move the mine‐permit process into the 21st Century. "The 'National Strategic and Critical Minerals Produc‐ tion Act' approved by a bi‐partisan vote in the House would establish a 21st Century permitting system for U.S. mining and prepare us for the 21st Century chal‐ lenges of minerals supply chain reliability and secu‐ rity," said National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn. "While few countries can rival the U.S. when it comes to an abundance of mineral resources, we remain cursed with a third‐ world permitting system that discourages investment and the downstream industries, related jobs, innova‐ tion and technology that depend on a secure and reli‐ able mineral supply chain. Martin Marietta Quarry Expands Residents of Raleigh, N.C., left City Hall fuming after they failed in their effort to stop a quarry from expanding near their community, according to the News Observer. Before the 5‐to‐2 vote, City Council members said Martin Marietta had agreed to several concessions intended to control noise and truck traffic at the site on Westgate Road near Interstate 540. The company would limit blasting to an eight‐acre area, with the remaining 89 acres used for storage of dirt and overburden. Earthen berms of up to 80 ft. would shield the activity. Martin Marietta has operated the Raleigh‐ Durham Quarry since the early 1980s and owns the land that will be used for the expansion. Quarries provide crushed stone, sand and gravel for roads and buildings. By locating near high‐growth areas, quarries can offer lower fuel and hauling costs. Based in Raleigh, Martin Marietta operates more than 285 quarries and distribution facilities. The company has more than 270 employees in the Raleigh area. E 40 ROCKproducts • AUGUST 2012 www.rockproducts.com "Rep. Mark Amodei (R‐Nev.) and his colleagues have carefully and credibly addressed the pitfalls of our current outdated and underperforming permitting system by providing efficient, timely and thorough permit reviews and by incorporating best practices for coordination among state and federal agencies, clarifying responsibilities, avoiding duplication, set‐ ting timeframes and bringing more accountability to the process. These are all steps other resource‐rich countries such as Australia and Canada have already taken and are consistent with President Obama's exec‐ utive order to streamline the permitting process for infrastructure projects – all of which rely upon a ready supply of the very materials H.R. 4402 ad‐ dresses." Quinn also noted that our dependence on mineral im‐ ports has doubled over the past 20 years. "Today, less than half of the mineral needs of U.S. manufacturing are met from domestically mined minerals. These trends will only get worse if we do not advance poli‐ cies that enable U.S. mining to perform to its potential. "Other countries have clearly demonstrated the will‐ ingness and urgency to act to meet the challenges of a new global reality in which demand for mineral re‐ sources will soar while supplies become increasingly difficult to obtain. We must do so as well, otherwise we place our long term economic growth and security at risk. NMA urges continued support for this impor‐ tant and far‐sighted legislation." E