Public information meeting on Lehigh Cement Plant and Quarry

SAN JOSE – Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian invites the public to participate in a multi-agency informational update related to operations at Lehigh Southwest Cement / Permanente Quarry, located in the Cupertino foothills.

Date:         Thursday, February 13
Time:         7 p.m. – 9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Location:  Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino

The purpose of the meeting is to review and discuss the status of various local, state, and federal agency oversight efforts, permitting processes and pending applications necessary for cement plant and quarry operations. Agency staff will be available to provide information in response to frequently asked questions and questions from the public.

After returning to the Board of Supervisors in 2013, Simitian asked the County to step up its oversight role by increasing on-site inspections, and organized biannual coordination meetings involving local, state, and federal agencies with jurisdiction over Lehigh operations. Simitian also hosts this yearly community meeting where residents can have their questions answered and hear from the regulatory agencies directly.

 “Given that almost a dozen regulatory agencies have a role to play at the site, I thought it was a good idea to create a forum where the agencies can all talk to each other,” said Simitian. “The solution to a right hand/left hand not communicating problem,” he continued, “is to communicate. We’re doing that now.”

Simitian said that given the fact that Lehigh Southwest Cement Company has recently submitted two applications for reclamation plan amendments, “I expect the level of public interest will be high.”

Oversight Agencies that have confirmed their participation this year include the City of Cupertino, the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Santa Clara County Planning Department, the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water), and the Santa Clara County Office of the County Counsel.