About 80 people signed the entrance log of Vulcan’s Community Open House held at the Placitas Library on Tuesday, July 7. It is estimated that another 100 plus turned around when the saw there was no place to park. By ten minutes after four o’clock, when the event began, vehicles were already parking out on 165. Because of that, folks simply made “U” turns at the Fire Station and headed back home.
Missed by many were the several information stations, each one dealing with a specific topic, including: “Safety and Health;” “Mandatory Standards and Practices;” “Environmental Compliance;” “Environmental Stewardship;” and, “Reclamation.” There were friendly and knowledgeable representatives of Vulcan at each station, with additional representatives throughout the room. What none of them seemed to know was the most asked question: “When will the gravel mining be completed, and the land reclaimed?” Vulcan staff did state that they reclaimed all non-active areas and they claimed to be environmentally responsible. This was encouraging news that residents were actually being able to have a friendly visit with a gravel operator’s staff.
Some residents were disappointed in the format of the event and asked that Vulcan return with a formal presentation that included a question-and-answer session. A few residents were pleased with the format, but all agreed that Vulcan should continue to communicate with residents. Vulcan representatives stated that they were unable to discuss any issues relating to the current lawsuit between Sandoval County and Lafarge, which would include expanding operations beyond the boundaries listed in the original County’s “grandfathered” approval.
Vulcan has purchased or leased for operation three of the five gravel mines operating in the Placitas area. The “Placitas Mine” previously operated by Lafarge, is the one associated with the active lawsuit and is located in the northwest area of Placitas. Barbara Goodrich-Welk, who is the Manager for Projects and External Affairs of the West Region of Vulcan, stated that this event was the first step in their outreach program to Placitans. She said that Vulcan will make future presentations and schedule tours of facilities for residents. Since the meeting, ES-CA has asked for a tour of the mine-site across the road from Algodones.