Gravel pit reopening proposal sparks concerns

By KIM E. STROM

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Watersmeet - The Gogebic County Road Commission has proposed reopening an old gravel pit in Watersmeet Township and some residents are concerned about the impact it could pose for the area. Especially concerned is Watersmeet Trout Hatchery and fish farm owner Dino Giannola whose business and home are located directly across the road from the site.

The road commission has retained Coleman Engineering to do a plan on the best use for the pit, according to road commission manager Barry Bolich. "The county has owned that property since 1926 and it was purchased for the natural gravel on the property," he told the Daily Globe in a recent interview. "As sources dwindle, we're looking at future resources on the eastern end of the county."

"We're going to start using that resource the county has owned for several years. If we had to truck it in from Bessemer or other sources, it would be cost prohibitive," he said. "The township of Watersmeet, and especially the road commission, will benefit greatly by having this resource to maintain our roads in Watersmeet."

While Giannola understands the need for the county to make use of a gravel pit, he would rather see it somewhere else.

"Would you want a gravel pit put across from your house?" he asked the Daily Globe. "They will have loaders come in. There will be trucks coming and going with noise and dust. As it is, the operation will go on less than a hundred feet from my window. That's unacceptable."

Even more concerning to Giannola is the potential negative impact it could have on his business.

"I agree they need a gravel pit, but not right across the street from my business," he said. "I understand they want to have one, I understand there's good rock but it's not worth what it will do to my business."

"Run-off water from gravel pits compromises water quality for trout and puts the hatchery's fish inventory at risk," said Giannola in an outline he sent to the Daily Globe describing why he is against the location of the gravel pit. "Gravel pits raise water temperature, increase sediment in the water and impair the water chemistry," he said.

Bolich said, "We will be leaving a natural border of trees and earth between the gravel pit and U.S. 2 to buffer noise from the site. We're doing everything within our power to minimize the impact. We understand where the water tables are. EGLE (The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for the state of Michigan) came on site and evaluated it," he said.

The road commission has applied for a voluntary permit, Bolich said, and it is waiting for a response.

"It's important for us to have that resource (gravel pit)," he said. "There are not many resources left on the east end. We are planning for the future and being responsible to the Gogebic County residents."

Giannola said he doesn't believe the road commission will protect the water table in the area.

"They tell us they'll stay 16 feet above water level, but ground shifts are still a concern to us," Giannola said. "Our sole reliance is spring water. It comes out of the ground at a rate of about 1,000 gallons per minute."

Giannola is also worried about the possibility of an accident on the road coming in and out of the gravel pit. "We have a lot of traffic," he said. "I think it's going to be very annoying. The road is hilly and curved, and I feel there will be an accident."

Bolich said it would not be like a commercial gravel pit where there is activity every day. "It would be only for our own use," he said. He added that the gravel crushing and hauling would happen for approximately a two-week period every three to five years.

"We use between five and 10 thousand cubic yards per year. It would be most cost effective for the company to crush all that at one time," he said. He added that there are a lot of controls in place such as restrictions on the amount of decibels they produce and dust control.

Giannola shared several letters with the Daily Globe that were written by Watersmeet citizens and visitors to the hatchery asking the road commission to reconsider opening the gravel pit.

Bolich said the organization plans to discuss the gravel pit as part of its regular meeting Monday at 4 p.m. at the courthouse annex in Bessemer.