Hearing set for Strack quarry expansion near Dalhousie

Residents of the Dalhousie subdivision will present their case for why a nearby quarry should not be able to expand at a hearing in Jefferson City, Mo., set for Aug. 22.

Strack Excavating is asking the Missouri Land Reclamation Commission for a permit to expand the boundaries of its existing 10-acre quarry, off Highway 74, by four acres.

Residents of the nearby Dalhousie subdivision were originally granted the hearing in September.

The formal hearing will include testimony from both sides before an independent hearing officer who will then make a recommendation to the Land Reclamation Commission on whether to approve the permit.

This is the second hearing Strack Excavating will face this summer as one is already scheduled July 5 for an application for a new 76-acre mine site near Saxony Lutheran High School in Fruitland.

Dalhousie resident Aaron Dombrowski, speaking on behalf of the subdivision's homeowners association, said homeowners don't believe Strack is abiding by air pollution regulations now and expect things to only get worse if the quarry expands.

"There are complete dust clouds just covering the development," said Dombrowski. There are about 40 homes in the Dalhousie subdivision.

He said residents have filed numerous

complaints with the Department of Natural Resources. The DNR's monthly Air Pollution Control Program reports show complaints of dust blowing into the neighborhood from the quarry site filed as recently as April 20.

In that complaint, made by Dombrowski, he reported large amounts of dust coming through the neighborhood and moving over the Dalhousie golf course after a blast was made in the quarry.

DNR records show the Land Reclamation Commission has never issued a notice of noncompliance to Strack Excavating or its related companies.

Strack has received two letters of warning, one in August 2009 and one in May 2010 for dust-related problems. Strack Excavating owner, J.W. Strack, said he will continue to move forward with plans for both quarry sites because there is a need for limestone rock and agricultural lime in this area. He declined to comment specifically about the upcoming hearings, referring those questions to his attorney. Brian McGovern, a Chesterfield, Mo., lawyer representing Strack, did not respond to a request for comment.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

5120 State Highway 74, Cape Girardeau, MO