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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Neighborhoods Employment Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 26, 2006 Rock pit owners must fix violations By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Jackson County commissioners told the owners of a Central Point rock pit they must clear up 11 violations of federal and state environmental laws before they would be allowed to expand their operation. "It's incumbent on us that all those terrible violations get corrected first," said Commissioner Dave Gilmour. Commissioner C.W. Smith said that until all the issues are resolved, "I'm not inclined to proceed." Rock 'N' Ready wants to enlarge its operations on a 350-acre parcel off Blackwell Road despite objections from neighboring rock quarries worried about impacts to Bear Creek. The company, which is owned by Wes Norton and J.F. Shea Co., has been cited for 11 violations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the state Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and the Oregon Department of State Lands. Advertisement The violations occurred this year. The company filed its expansion proposal to the county in March 2005. Some of the violations include digging a pit deeper than allowed by permits, placing fill into the creek channel, filling in wetlands, providing inadequate storm water control and pumping groundwater that could have an effect on neighboring wells. The department of geology wants the quarry owners to restore a 100-foot buffer along Bear Creek. Commissioners debated Wednesday whether they had jurisdiction over the violations. Commissioner Jack Walker said he thought dealing with the violations fell outside the bounds of a county land-use decision. But Smith and Gilmour disagreed, saying they believed the violations impacted their decision and are land-use issues. Smith cited a county ordinance that requires the county to consider any violations in making a decision. "The ordinance is clear, " he said. Owners of Rogue Aggregates Inc. and Crater Sand and Gravel, companies that are downstream from Rock 'N' Ready, told commissioners previously they are concerned their operations might be damaged by practices at Rock 'N' Ready that could lead to flooding. "I'm not against them," said Mary Savage, president of Crater Sand and Gravel. "I'm against the way they operate. They need to do it right." Savage's operation was inundated during last year's flood because of the way Rock 'N' Ready diverted floodwaters. "Its been tough for us," said Savage. Ed Kernaghan, general manager for J.F. Shea in Redding, Calif., said that most of the violations have been resolved. He said he is waiting for written confirmation from the various agencies. "It's all done," he said. Kernaghan said Shea is interested in bidding on public works projects in Southern Oregon, making it a direct competitor to Medford-based LTM Inc. "Competition is good," said Kernaghan. KRC of Bismarck, N.D., is the parent company that owns LTM and Rogue Aggregates. Portland attorney Frank Parisi, who represents Rogue Aggregates, said Rock 'N' Ready still has major compliance issues to iron out with the agencies. Referring to Kernaghan's comments that most of the issues had been resolved, Parisi said, "I don't think that's true." County planner Mike Mattson said he had received some information from state and federal officials that Rock 'N' Ready was in the process of complying with some of the violations. But Smith wanted to know if they had met the deadlines for compliance. "They haven't met the date required," he said. Mattson said, "Not all of them, no." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing GMAT Prep Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com