Comment Period for the pending mining application still not here.  NPDES schedule still indicates a number of steps that North Mountain Shale has to complete prior to advertising comment period open.  A notice will be posted here when the public comment period starts.

(1) click here for current NPDES application status

(2) click here for current quarry mining application status

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A Letter to the Editor (Journal Newspaper)

 The following letter has been submitted to the Journal Newspaper but we have no idea if it will be published.  Eric Sandstrom voices the concerns of the people directly impacted by the purposed quarry.  His letter is in the "Citizens Comments" section of this website.  Click on link below to be taken directly to that section:

You may click here for the entire letter also to save and read off line

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We are about preventing this at Gerrardstown

North Mountain becoming a stripped ugly muddy vision destroying the value and peace of our town for years if not decades, as well as ruining the natural springs and water supply to the area

“Quarry Threatens Historic District in West Virginia”

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s publication, Preservation Magazine, posts an article about the efforts here in Gerrardstown to prevent the destruction of the appearance of North Mountain.  The article also mentions that the public comment period is in the near future and perhaps next month, November.

Web Site Note:  The efforts of CARE continue to cause the comment period to be delayed as additional technical objections affect the processing of the application.

Click here for the article

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Our issues with locating an industrial quarry

on the Carr Farm in the middle of

the residential area of Gerrardstown:

1 - Water

The location of the quarry is right on top of a major Mill Creek water table recharge area.  This has the irreversible potential of damaging that water source through changing the water source travel and adding pollution to it.  Major wells for Glenwood Forest may lose water sources and private wells, farm ponds and public fire protection ponds will lose their water sources from both springs and ground water flow.  Additional TMDL loads on Mill Creek will affect operations of Berkeley County Water Plant drawing from LeFevre Springs, violating federal, state and local water pollution agreements.

2 - Property Values

The placing of an industrial quarry on the Carr Farm which is surrounded by fast growing residential area will cause a financial loss to citizens due to depreciation of property value as residential property.  Future residential development expecting to locate in a scenic quiet setting will be diminished or stopped, affecting Berkeley County’s tax income.

3 - Historic & Aesthetic Values

The destruction of the forested side of North Mountain will be evident for years for miles.  This has the potential of destroying the historic value of the historical homes, churches and town.  Visitors to Berkeley County following the George Washington Historical Trail will not likely want to linger or photograph a historic area with an open dirt mountain face in the background.

4 - Health

Earth removal at elevations above the village of Gerrardstown and surroundings will shower the area with dust and air borne debris.  The contents of which will be unknown until damage has occurred to the elderly and children of the area.  Large sediment ponds will increase mosquito exposure and its related diseases, contaminating existing ground water resources.

5 - Safety

Industrial traffic in and around the village will affect the freedom of movement now enjoyed by the citizens, including children, in the quiet residential area that enjoys up to now purely residential neighborhoods.

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Application Near Completion

 The application for a mining permit is not approved yet, January 2010.  This is only the application part of the process.  The decision on granting or denying a mining permit does not occur until after input from the public comment period and a public hearing.

It appears that the North Mountain Shale quarry permit application is near being complete and subject to public comment before an official ruling.  CARE will post a notice here when the public comment period opens as well as date of public hearing.

Stay tuned.

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Where We Stand

 CARE is going into the third year of fighting the application for a quarry permit in the Gerrardstown area of Berkeley County West Virginia.  The committees working on protecting the water, historic and aesthetic values, property values, health and safety of citizens have seen direct results of their efforts.  The projections for the public comment period have progressively slid from the summer of 2008, to the fall of 2008, to the spring of 2009, the summer of 2009 to the fall of 2009 and now enters 2010.  This indicates flaws being addressed in the application before the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

North Mountain Shale, LLC and Continental Brick Company continue to modify the application in an effort to show that a quarry will not affect or damage Mill Creek and its water shed, Gerrardstown and its historic surroundings or the other southern Berkeley County watersheds.  CARE has continued to meet with Federal, State and County officials to show where there will be detrimental effects.

 click here for current status of application

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 Chesapeake Bay Protection

Recently an Executive Order was issued to recharge the effort to protect the Chesapeake Bay.  This would include the contributing waterways.  The Federal Environmental Protection Agency is being recharged with direction that it was intended for, protecting the environment. 

To view the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order, click here.

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Journal-News reports "Citizens Question Proposed Quarry's Impact "

Additional information reported in the September 2, 2009 about meeting held by the Berkeley County Public Service Water District.

click here for full Journal article

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Large Turn Out for Water Meeting

A large turn out was seen at the Berkeley County Public Service Water District’s special meeting Monday, August 31, 2009.  Reports from Geologist Bob Denton of the GeoConcepts Engineering firm and Dr. Joseph Donovan of West Virginia University were presented to citizens and the board.

The reports are available on line at the Berkeley County Public Service Water District's website.  You may access the documents in pdf format by clicking on this sentence. 

Read the entire Journal-News article by clicking here

Direct download of reports available below.  The GeoConcepts Report is a large pdf file of about 5 MB.  All reports are in pdf format.

GeoConcepts Report

Dr. Donovan Report

Recommendations to Water Board

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Information Meeting on Shale Quarry

A special meeting was held Monday Aug 31, 2009 to discuss the quarry permit application in play for the Gerrardstown area.  The meeting was held at the Berkeley County Public Sewer Service District office

65 District Way in Martinsburg.

 Click here for MapQuest directions to offices

The Journal Newspaper article quoted Executive Director Paul Fisher as saying “While information will be presented, the session will not be a public hearing where citizens share their opinions, …. However, getting information out to the public is important, especially since many citizens have expressed an interest

in the proposed quarry”

The Journal Newspaper article also states: “One of two consultants hired by the Water District, geologist Bob Denton of GeoConcepts Engineering Inc., plans to speak at the meeting, Fisher said. Joe Donovan, a hydrogeologist with West Virginia University's Geology Department, also reviewed the mining application that has been filed with the state, he said.”

Click here for Journal Newspaper full article

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West Virginia Preservation Officer says

“no adverse effect”

The Herald-Mail newspaper article in the Saturday, August 15, 2009 edition reports on letter from West Virginia state officer.

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History’s Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Ms. Susan Pierce, writes letter to the Permit Supervisor, Mr. Randy Moore, of the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection, stating “the project will have no adverse effect with the conditions as stated”.

It is disturbing for state preservation and environmental protection personnel to give the appearance of ignoring the obvious impact on the Gerrardstown area, focusing entirely on input of North Mountain Shale, LLC.  There appears to be no reference to material supplied to the agencies by CARE.

This points out how important it is for Gerrardstown citizens and interested environmental groups to participate in the public comment period, when it opens.  There is a good chance the comment period will open this fall.  We will announce it as soon as the information is available.

 CARE groups continue to meet with Federal, State and Local officials, local and national environment organizations to lay the groundwork for stopping any industrial quarry operations on North Mountain.

click here for the full Herald-Mail article

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Engineering firm hired to review quarry application

The Herald-Mail newspaper of Hagerstown, Maryland reports that the Berkeley County Public Service Water District hired GeoConcepts Engineering Inc to review the North Mountain Shale, LLC, application to operate a quarry mine on North Mountain next to Gerrardstown, WV.  The firm is to review the application to assess the studies done in relation to the water sources in the Gerrardstown and Glenwood Forest area.

Click here for the Herald-Mail article

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A Petition for EPA to take over from state

The Sierra Club and other groups have petitioned the Federal EPA to take over the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permitting process currently administered by the West Virginia Department of Environment Protection.  Claiming that West Virginia management of the NPDES program is failing to carry out the intention of the act, the petition asks that the EPA take the program back over.

Read about it at wvgazette.com

Click here for copy of petition

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Kevin Sarring's project of restoring the historic Methodist Church in Gerrardstown on Dominion Road is finished.  A turn out of community and history buffs gathered Sunday, May 31, 2009 at an open house and was well attended.  The church has been named "Apple Chapel" in recognition of the numerous apple orchards in southern Berkeley County.  CARE hosted the event with Kevin and numerous Gerrardstown citizens, including Eliza Burton and Trudy Slater.

click here for photographs by Artist Annemarie Collins of the afternoon

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Berkeley County Commission Resolution

The Berkeley County Commission adopted a resolution against quarry operation in the historic Gerrardstown area.  CARE presented a modified version of the resolution to the county commissioners at their  May 28, 2009 meeting. One more level of support in CARE's efforts to preserve the total North Mountain environment. Click on link below for endorsed resolution text.

click here for The Journal news article 

click here for The Herald Mail article

click here for adopted resolution

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"West Virginia Mountains Need a Voice"

 Read Barb Miller's article in May 5, 2009 edition of The Journal about the mountains of West Virginia.  A thoughtful article about our environment and life style in southern Berkeley County and the village of historic Gerrardstown.  CARE was organized to give voice to the thousands of citizens who protest the lack of political strength and support to our environment.  While this remains our main concern at the moment, perhaps it is time to also make note of those elected political individuals who do not support this concern and remember them at the next election.

The protection of West Virginia's environmental assets is possible.  The laws exist today.  They could be made stronger.  All it takes is the political strength and will.  If those in the positions to exercise this strength and will are not willing to do so, perhaps we can work at putting people into those positions who will. 

 click for Journal Article

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Water, one of resources we hope to save

  Just one stream's water flow from North Mountain

One stream immediately next to purposed quarry site feeds this Prospect Hill Farm pond and dam overflow runs into Mill Creek.  These water sources will be damaged by shale surface mining on North Mountain.

Video of bulldozer and stream activity

Video of initial widening  of ATV trail and disruption of springs.  Visual evidence of what will happen with water if a surface mining operation is allowed.

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 Petition Grows

Citizens concerned about the environment from far and wide have watched CARE's presentation about the proposed quarry to be placed in the Gerrardstown area of Southern Berkeley County.  Preparations for the approaching public comment period for the North Mountain Shale, LLC application before the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection are being discussed at length.

Many people signed on to help with the many activities involved in preventing this destruction of mountainside on North Mountain.

Many volunteers are helping with the current petition that will be submitted when the public hearing is scheduled.  If you want to help with that task, click on the link below to obtain a copy of the petition form to reproduce.

Thanks to all for your help, work, encouragement and help!

click here for blank petition forms

Completed forms can be mailed to the address at the bottom of the form or let us know if other arrangements for pick up is needed.

email site moderator

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 The Herald-Mail Coverage of Commissioner's Meeting

The Herald-Mail had a reporter at Berkeley County Commissioner's meeting and reported on CARE resolution presented to the commissioners for support.

Click here for full article

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National Trust for Historic Preservation Support

Additional support in the effort to preserve the Gerrardstown area has come from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  CARE representatives visited the Washington DC offices of the Trust to discuss the impending effect of the purposed quarry.  The National Trust has sent a letter of support to Secretary Randy Huffman, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

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 Quarry ApplicationAdditional water testing sites added in effort to get quarry permit.  Active quarry area also modified in an effort to have application to mine approved.  CARE continues to point out that this is still just a piece of the total property and it's impact on the surrounding community.  Citizens objections remain: a commercial quarry operation should not be allowed in the historic Gerrardstown area.

link to full size larger map

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Link below to the West Virginia Record  news article:

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CARE meets with WVDEP Officials

 CARE committee met with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection officials at historic Prospect Hill farm Friday, November 07, 2008.  Mr. Randy Huffman, WVDEP Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Tom Clarke, Director Division of Mining and Reclamation and Mr. Dwight Given, Assistant Director, Philippi Office arrived in Gerrardstown via helicopter and visited Prospect Hill, one of the many historic homes in Gerrardstown, WV.

A committee from CARE discussed the issues of the pending quarry permit application with a power point graphic presentation.  The discussion touched on the five major points that CARE is concerned about:  Drinking Water, Property Values, History, Health and Safety.  The current permit application is undergoing review and will probably not be complete until the spring of 2009.  At that time, a public comment period will open for 30 days to allow citizen input to consider in the permit process.

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News Article Published in ONEARTH Publication

Article published about CARE's efforts in stopping the destruction of forests on North Mountian.  Onearth is a independent publication  of the National Resources Defense Council.

"Quarry Planned in Watershed"

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Don't understand or know what is going on with the mining application?

 Check the STATUS TODAY page.  You can just click on the words to get there fast.  In addition there is a link to the WVDEP web tracking record showing the events being processed.

area mining application covers

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Comments on Gerrardstown Bridge Replacement

"The WVDOH is replacing the Gerrardstown Bridge in the 

historic district.  The new bridge is designed to to match the 

stone on the Gerrards House.  We were told to see if 

your group wanted to comment on the project.  

Thank you very much for your time."

The message above has been received at this 

website from Ms. Sondra Mullins of the West Virginia 

Department of Transportation.  A response was sent to her 

that we were interested in seeing the design of the bridge 

as well as the dates expected to be done. 

Her contact information as of now is: 

Name: Sondra Mullins
Company: WVDOT
Email: Sondra.L.Mullins@wv.gov
Phone: 304-558-9487

The bridge project has already received approval from the 

Berkeley County Historical Society as a nice addition

 to the historic district taking into account the historic 

properties in the district.  This project was scheduled for 

construction in the Spring of 2009, pending approval and funding.

Style of Bridge
 

Technical specifications and larger picture of bridge design - click for photo album 

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Trolley Tour Comes To Gerrardstown

Trolley tour of selected properties in historic Gerrardstown was greeted by residents.  One of Berkeley County Historical Society’s popular Trolley Tours came to Gerrardstown to view the Oben Hall home and the restoration project of the southern Methodist Church Saturday morning, October 4^th.    Local residents took the opportunity to express their opposition to Continental Brick and North Mountain Shale companies plans to open a surface mine.  A mining permit before the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is undergoing review to allow shale mining on North Mountain directly behind the historic town of Gerrardstown.  The historic Oben Hall home is included in the area to be mined.

 More photos in photo album

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Direct links to the many organizations and groups who are helping protect the environment.   The Journal newspaper and other sources of information about protecting our land and water.  A new link just added to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, a group active in protecting the Bay and the rivers and streams flowing to it.

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A Destructive Plan in the middle of new and century old historic homes and farms.  We will do everything in our power to stop it.  To keep up with the current status check tab "Status Today" 

The area affect by the property bought by Continental Brick Company and leased to North Mountain Shale, LLC for surface mining of shale.

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NEW FEATURE - MORE PHOTOS

A new feature has been added to allow more photographs by popular demand.  A photo album is now available with more extensive photographs.  Multiple links to the album will be throughout this web site.  This has just been added so it will grow as time goes along.

Click here to see the photo album 

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Berkeley County Growth Management

The Berkeley County Planning Commission's 2006 growth Management Map.  No industrial investment area is planned for the Gerrardstown area under this plan.

The State Journal publishes article about the quarry application.  One item in the article about 26 homes brought to their attention when in fact there are hundreds of homes affected.

Click here to read article 

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Residential & Farm Properties surrounding purposed

Quarry Site 

The high density of residential & farm properties that purposed quarry would be affecting in and around Gerrardstown.

Red Dots Indicate the Carr Farm property bought by Continental Brick Company that is leased to North Mountain Shale, LLC.

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A New Feature is being added

Zoom capability on certain maps and images that will allow you to enlarge sections of those documents.  The first is the Tax Map of Berkeley County  for the Gerrardstown area under the Pictures page of this site.  Others will follow with this feature.  Just right click on the map and select the zoom feature you want.

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 Governor Manchin Listens

 Monday, August 4th, Governor Manchin came to Martinsburg on business unrelated to the quarry project.  A small group of local citizens showed up with signs along his route to his meeting, reminding him of our issues with the destruction of North Mountain.

A unplanned meeting was arranged in his busy schedule for the group to sit down and talk to him about our issues with allowing a quarry to operate in the Gerrardstown area. 

An article appeared in The Journal Newspaper, Tuesday, August 5, 2008 with more details.  

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   NIMBY

Not In My Back Yard

And Gerrardstown means it! 

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Dump trucks using Destiny Lane already before any

permits or applications have been approved 

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The size of land involved with the quarry will overwhelm

the village of Gerrardstown and the surrounding communities. 

Destroying quality of life forever.

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Berkeley County of West Virginia. 

Located in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia,

North Mountain runs parallel to and west of Interstate 81. 

It is one of the many mountains in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia

that is home to many historical sites

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Stream fall from North Mountain into Back Creek 

 A quiet walk with the dog along Back Creek at foot of North Mountain

Glenwood Forest residents need to participate in writing letters to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to protect their 3 drinking water wells 

Join the mailing list to find out how 

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North Mountain Shale files application to operate quarry, May 9, 2008 

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Protest at Continental Brick turns out citizens  May 10th

See OUR PROTEST under INFORMATION for more photographs 

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A community communications link where residents and others interested in preserving the land, water, air, forests and history can speak out about matters related to where we live

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Join our discussion group and get more information and find out what is going on!  Click on CONTACT US icon

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The information below relates to the withdrawn application and will be left on the site for reference for the time being:

Area Impacted 

 click on image to enlarge

 application form & some attachments

NOTE - This file is large & will take a few minutes to download

The North Mountain Shale Stormwater application is available on the information page for reference. 

The DEP application status is to the left.   

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Permit Hearings Guide

It is very important to read the West Virginia Permit & Hearings Guide.  Your comments, both mailed in & verbal at the hearing must be on target or they may be ineffective.  This file is large but important.  Be sure to read the comments section.

The Guide

The section of the Guide that is most important in submitting comments is the following extraction from the guide:

Submitting Comments

"When submitting your questions or comments on a proposed permit application, send them to the address in the notice and always include the application number and facility name."

"Include convincing statements of how the proposed application improves or degrades the environment (air, land or water), and complies with or violates state or federal regulations."

"Comments should be detailed but concise in describing why the permit should or should not be issued. Comments should be substantive with information to support your stance on the issue."

"If possible, include studies and federal guidance about how permits should West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection 3 Guide to permits and appeals be written. If you quote studies from a website or in standard research journals, provide the name and author of the study or send a copy of the actual study."

 "It is your responsibility to provide evidence during the public comment period, not later."

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We Care Do You? 

 Historic Mount Olive Church - Gerrardstown

The quarry is at their back door  

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