RE: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BARBER QUARRY –
Resumption, extension, and expansion of quarry operations /
Your Attendance is Needed at the August 20th Public Meeting.
The quarry at the lake has been dormant for years. Under existing agreements, quarry operations are to completely end in 2029, absent some other development. We have recently learned that a new operator for the quarry, Hamm, Inc. is seeking permission to extend quarry operations for an additional fifty years—to 2077—and plans to eventually triple the existing footprint of the quarry operations or more. Possible plans could include expansion of operations north of Langsford Road and east of 7 Highway bringing it that much closer to our community.
On August 20, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at Lone Summit Ranch, 28701 E Old US Hwy 50, Lake Lotawana, MO 64086, we need you to be present at a public meeting for the lake community to voice your concerns to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) about this request.
We need to hear from you!
It is important to know how many of us can attend this meeting and who may want to speak.
• If you are able to attend, please email us at concernedlotawana@lakelotawana.net to let us know you will be there.
• Also, regardless of whether you attend, please send an email with any concerns and objections you may have about this situation.
• Finally, if you are concerned that COVID-19 may prevent you from attending, please email us to share those concerns as well. Again, use the following email: concernedlotawana@lakelotawana.net.
Background on the Quarry
Before the quarry ceased operations a few years ago, problems experienced by some of us included traffic safety, dust, pollution, and blasting (causing noise and vibration). We, as members of the Association and of the community, are concerned about the proposed resumption of quarrying activities particularly if the operations are designed to last for an additional fifty years and involve a significant expansion of the operating footprint of the quarry.
Annexation litigation between Barber and Sons (the current operator), landowners around the Lake, and the City in 2004, resulted in an agreement where Barber and Sons’ agreed to a number of requirements and restrictions applicable to the size of the quarry and quarry operations. These obligations were memorialized in a court order and related city ordinances; and have been in place for 15 years. Hamm has asked to replace Barber and Sons as the new operator.
The issue we are faced with today is whether the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will approve Hamm Inc.’s application to take over operation of the quarry and what terms that approval will include.
Ultimately, we will be advocating, at a minimum, that Hamm Inc. be bound by the geographic, time and other restrictions that were provided in the court order and as are required by law to ensure that the quarry is a good neighbor to the Lake community. But we need your help!
On August 20, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at Lone Summit Ranch, 28701 E Old US Hwy 50, Lake Lotawana, MO 64086, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Hamm will host a public meeting on Hamm Inc.’s application.
We need as many members of our community to inform the Missouri Department of Natural Resources of their own concerns about the resumption of quarrying activities.
The Lake Lotawana Association
concernedlotawana@lakelotawana.net