Lafarge Ravena modernisation plan gathering pace, USA
The Lafarge modernisation plan for the old cement plant in Ravena is drawing closer to becoming a reality.
At the recent Town of Coeymans planning board meeting, four Lafarge representatives including Atlanta-based Senior Project Manager John Light, Engineering Manager Marc Desimon, Environmental Manager John Reagan and Plant Manager Martin Turecky displayed an artist’s rendering of the proposed plant and answered questions from the board.
Reagan said that while the company was not quite ready to apply for building permits and other documents, they thought it would be helpful to update the board because the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) permitting process is winding down.
"We have been working on this for three years," Reagan said. "We have held informational sessions, public meetings, undergone a public comment period and taken part in the DEC legislative Hhearing."
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is expected to submit comments, if any, to the DEC within the next few weeks and DEC will then issue a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).
Reagan said Lafarge addressed over two dozen environmental factors in their DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) including sensitivity to noise, air quality, efficiency and public health.
Those documents are on view at the RCS Community Library, at the Coeymans Town Hall and online at http://lafargeravenafacts.com/.
The planning board was supportive and enthusiastic about the project, although they did suggest several areas of concern.
Chief among them was the physical appearance of the new plant.
"We want to know about the landscaping," said board member Joe Kapusta.
The issue of how to improve the visual appearance of the cement conveyor which crosses Route 9W on its way from the quarry to the plant also came under discussion.
"We want an up-to-date, state-of-the art plant," Board member Buddy Irwin said, "but we also want attention paid to the appearance of the Route 9W corridor."
Reagan assured the board that Lafarge was working on those details and the final design would include them.
"We will be hiring contractors for that portion of the modernization," Reagan said.
Published under Cement News
