State Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-10th dist.) announced that the lease agreement for mining at Rockhill Quarry has been terminated. The decision to terminate the lease has been agreed to by Hanson (the owner) and Pierson (the contract operator) for the property. Hanson has also requested an extension to respond to comments requested by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“The termination of Pierson’s lease to mine at the quarry is a tremendous victory for the residents of East Rockhill Township, who have been tirelessly fighting to protect the health and safety of everyone in the community,” Santarsiero said. “While we know that there is a strong possibility that Hanson will pursue further testing and will try to resume activities at the quarry at some point in the future, the lack of an active operator at Rockhill Quarry is a huge step in the right direction. I will continue to work with REPA, the township and our state and federal officials to prohibit mining, crushing and asphalt activities at the site. The presence of asbestos at the quarry makes those activities inherently dangerous no matter who operates there.”
Santarsiero will be working with DEP to keep informed of any requests to transfer the permits or begin a new contract. He has previously called for the permanent closure of the quarry, citing community health risks due to findings of asbestos at the site. Mining operations have been temporarily halted since late 2018, when DEP confirmed positive tests of naturally occurring asbestos at the quarry.
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1st dist.) made the following statement regarding the decision by R.E. Pierson Materials and Hanson Aggregates terminating their lease of the Rockhill Quarry:
“Since entering Congress, the asbestos issue at East Rockhill has always remained one of my top priorities and I am thrilled to hear that Hanson and R.E. Pierson Materials have agreed to terminate the lease of the Rockhill Quarry property and operation, but our work is far from over. Going forward, we must work to ensure that our children and the surrounding environment will be safe from the dangers of asbestos and ensure the current and future mining permits are negated. I remain insistent on having the EPA conduct a rigorous independent geologic investigation to see the full impact mining would have within East Rockhill. This is a huge victory for the children and families in our community. Katie Zackon, REPA, and the entire Rockhill community have showed us what individuals and communities are capable of doing when we band together in solidarity behind a cause that is just and right.”
