DCPCUP-0000-01083 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Alhgrim's insurance that they felt they were not responsible . According to their paid expert's report, "Field tests have shown the first indication of damage due to airblast is broken windows, cracked masonry, etc" . This is exactly what had been documented during the original state investigation. One of the neighbor's in Cherry Hill notified me that they have had to replace every window in their house since living there. In checking into it further, there have been many incidents of cracked windows ,unusual breaks in septic tanks and other numerous problems. At this time, we felt our only hope was to contact our homeowner's insurance company. They sent out an expert and he felt the claim, which eventually involved$6000 in repairs, was justified. Though our claim was covered, our insurance was cancelled at our next renewal date. Our insurance company advised us they felt we were in a "high risk" area and would not renew our policy. Mortgage lenders are no happier to hear that information than are the homeowners. The Department Of Industry, Labor and Human Relations has been very helpful and has required Yahara Material Inc. (from report dated 6-22-89 from the department) "that the quarry must give the Spitz's a 24 hour advance notice of blasting and a half hour notice prior to the actual shot The last three shots in 1992 they only called the morning of the shot which was against the imposed state directive. Now we will be forced to notify the state to get them to comply with the directive. Only because of our involvement and personal persistence over a year have we been able to bring their organization into even a reasonable blasting program. Rather than the 14,200 pounds of explosive per shot, they have reduced to averages closer to 5,000 pounds per shot. Their insurance carrier has monitored these forced, reduced blasts and concluded that they met shock wave velocity readings within state blasting regulations. No one except witnesses and occupants can atttest to the affects of the larger blasts. No seismic equipment was used to monitor that blast. Yahara's seismic equipment was not even functional until we invlolved the state in formal complaint proceedings. While we could go into much more detail, about our struggles to change their behavior, we will not bore you further. You might be inclined to point to the fact this is not Yahara Materials who is applying for this permit, We have learned through great frustration what will happen if there is a violation of any regulations relating to air or liquid emissions or contamination. The burden of proof and prosecution will be on the injured party us! r If and when a spill or rain water run off carries petrochemical associated with liquid asphalt into the quarry floor, you can count on the fact it will fmd it's way through the blast fractures create in the limestone quarry into the aquifer. Aquifers exist in even upper soil levels whenever its rains. They will disperse the spill horizontally as it spreads to fmd fissures to the lower level well aquifers. The quarry floor is already 50 feet below surrounding terrain it has a head start to our well aquifers. We tremble at the thought of the tortuous web of insurance subrogation between contractors, subcontractors, blasting contractors, equipment designers, contract operators etc. who will all in their turn send us from blamee to blamee to seek correction, remediation, or reimbursement for damage done to property or ground water. Just think how much fun it will be