Clarkstown Announces Update on Monitoring of Noise and Dust at Tilcon, West Nyack

 

 

Supervisor Alex Gromack announced that the second round of tests for the Tilcon-West Nyack Quarry is complete.  The Town has an agreement with an independent engineering group to monitor dust and noise, collect daily weather data and provide a summary of findings associated with mining operations at Tilcon.  Tilcon had previously agreed to reimburse the town for the costs of these field tests.  The first field monitoring program was administered in October 2006.   

 

During the week of September 17, 2007, noise and dust monitoring was conducted again at various locations in proximity to the Tilcon West Nyack site.  The report concludes that from the 5 residential locations observed for the October 2006 and September 2007 weekly monitoring periods, the frequency of noise levels above the county decibel standards went down from 100 % to 88% at two of the homes and maximum noise levels were reduced at 3 of 5 homes.  Therefore the average of the noise levels above the county decibel standard was reduced for all 5 homes. 

 

Supervisor Gromack said, "We are aware that at times noise and dust levels may be above recommended levels but most importantly we are seeing improvements in the residential areas and there is still more progress to be made." 

 

Under the agreement with the town the following improvements have been made by Tilcon: the dust control system was upgraded, all conveyors on the finish side of the plant have been covered, a new larger water truck is in service for dust control, all screens have been changed from wire to rubber, crusher plates have been changed from steel to ceramic, one of the buildings was completely insulated with noise reduction panels, and one of the crushers was enclosed with a noise mitigation structure. 

 

Tilcon is finalizing plans to relocate the plant below ground level.   In December 2007, they submitted to the planning board a formal application for the new entrance road, which will reduce traffic, and further construction of a berm, which will mitigate noise and improve the appearance surrounding the plant.  Tilcon also submitted a building permit application for the renovation of the Storms Road house. 

 

 

Supervisor Gromack said, "We recognize by law the right of Tilcon to function as a mining operation in our town, but we feel it is important for Tilcon to address any residential concerns resulting from that operation.  The agreement we reached with Tilcon specifies a timeline with goals and we will continue to monitor that."

 

A third round of monitoring dust and noise at the quarry was conducted in December 2007 and the results and report are expected in two months. 

 

# # #