New asphalt recycling plant on the horizon
Posted By Kate Rosenberg on April 27, 2009
LUCERNE VALLEY – A notice of intent to construct and operate an asphalt recycling plant on the current grounds of Robertson’s Ready Mix has been presented to the County of San Bernardino for review, public records show.
The proposed project would be a permanent natural gas powered facility located on four acres, capable of producing as much as 550,000 tons of asphalt each year, according to a statement from Carrie Hyke, a principal planner with the San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department. To dispense the asphalt — roughly 30 percent of which is to be recycled asphalt — planners estimate that an additional 140 to 170 truck trips will be added to the daily Highway 18 traffic through Lucerne Valley.
Steven Matich, President of the 90-year-old Matich Corporation based out of San Bernardino said that the plant would be the third in the High Desert, but that it would be the first area plant to be built on a site with aggregate quarries, meaning it is the closest to the source of the asphalt materials.
“My thought has always been the best spot for a plant is sitting there at the aggregate plant,” Matich said. “It reduces truck emissions because the asphalt is generated in one location and can be delivered directly to the job site. It’s ideal economically, logistically and otherwise when you’re sitting on your raw materials.”
Matich also said that he believes there will eventually be another residential growth explosion, this time extended to Lucerne and Morongo Valleys and having a local asphalt plant will reduce truckloads of asphalt being brought in from San Bernardino and Barstow. For now, he does not anticipate beginning construction on the plant for at least three years, giving the economy time to bounce back.
And with 30 percent of the asphalt generated coming from recycling, he says it is beneficial to the environment, rather than letting torn up asphalt be put into overcrowded landfills.
Having operated a portable plant in 2007 under a county-issued temporary use permit, Matich himself estimates the daily truck traffic at 70 to 80 additional roundtrips per day, less than half of what county officials cited their estimate at.
“There would be some (traffic-related) impact, but it would be marginal compared to the truck traffic that’s currently out there.” Matich said.
But Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasinga said the organization is working with the county to determine the implications of adding as many as 170 additional semi-truck trips up and down Highway 18 each business day.
“Our Planning Department has talked to the County extensively about this project … and is planning to discuss it again with them in the near future. In our opinion, they need to prepare a traffic study so we can analyze the impacts and request mitigation, if necessary,” Kasinga said. “At this time we would have no way of knowing whether or not this project is feasible until we see the traffic study.”
Depending on the results of that study, the private project may incite a public need to expand roads or otherwise contribute to the roadway system, to be paid for by the county.
“Once Caltrans has reviewed that data and commented further, we will know the final determination on what, if any, traffic improvements or contributions will be required,” planner Hyke said.
David Zook, spokesman for 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said that the Supervisor does not typically comment on land use issues at this stage in the process, adding, “It would be inappropriate to express support or non-support prior to receiving all of the information.”
Zook instead said that the County’s Land Use Services Department will handle the issue.
“We ensure that Land Use staff will address all issues under the California environmental Quality Act — paying special attention to any local concerns expressed in response to the required public notice. For this type of facility, we would anticipate paying special attention to traffic, noise and air quality, as well as any biological or cultural impacts specific to the site. Aesthetic issues will also be addressed.”
Matich also said that his family business does a lot of work in Big Bear, and using a local facility to provide asphalt to the mountain region would also cut down on truck emissions and crude oil supplies by shortening trips. Matich did not say whether he thought the plant would bring any sort of economic relief — in the form of jobs or otherwise — to Lucerne Valley.
Katherine Rosenberg can be reached at 964-9057 or by e-mail at krosenberg@vvdailypress.com.
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