HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 08-31 Residents voice concern about neighboring chemical distribution plant proposal THE REVIEW •
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City ClerkMaplewood, Minnesota
City of Maplewood , AUG. 31, 1977
1380 Frost Avenue
• St. Paul, Mn. 55109
;Residents voice concern about g -neighboring i.
g
chemical distribution p proposal
A dispute over a proposed chemical Christopher Drake, director of the Lake residents are concerned about the affect the area's chain of lakes.
idistribution plant to be located in White Jarvais Lake Association,concurred with potential for accidental spill when in The Maplewood City Council voted
Bear Lake has been continuing in that Watson's request for further study. He transit or when the chemicals are being unanimously to send a letter to the White
community for over two years now.Since told the Maplewood City Council, "You loaded and unloaded. Bear City Council indicating the town's
then,the toxic quality of the chemicals to could suggest the EQC make a study. A The location is adjacent to County Ditch concern for vehicles in transit and the
be handled by Van Waters and Rogers letter from you won't hurt. It's your 18 which drains into Kohlman Lake. If a welfare of the people located near the
,Inc. has caused concern of the part of concern." spill were to take place on-site,it could proposed facility.
'many neighboring Maplewood residents. Ar. environmental assessment
Don Watson, 985 E. County Rd. C., worksheet(EAW)has been prepared by
Maplewood, appeared before the the"White Bear Planning Department—a
Maplewood City Council Aug.25 to urge pre:equisite for an environmental impact
the council to take some kind of study(EIS).The EAW determined no EIS
mitigating measure."The site plan does is needed because "the project is not a
not give consideration to drainage. major action and-or does not have the
Kohlman Lake is already a mess," the potential for significant environmental
director of the Lakes Improvement effects and-or for private actions only,the
Association said. project is not of more than local
"And a chemical plant on top of it is not significance."
going to help. We've got three of the The negative declaration will remain
(chain of) lakes in Maplewood — and unless residents contact the PCA
they're all a mess,"Watson continued.He requesting a second look at the EAW.
sought council action to urge the White Mayor Burton Murdock told the residents,
Bear Lake City Council's investigation "We can send the White Bear Council a
into the plant's impact on Maplewood if a letter, but it's going to be you people
,spill were to occur. that's going to have the effect.
Representatives of the chemical "To some degree, we don't want to
distribution warehouse note the building interfere with their business. We don't
and storage facilities will be in full want to irritate them.I would suggest all
compliance with state environmental organizations with any input to go out
regulations, under the direction of the there and put pressure on(the White Bear
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency council)," the mayor continued.
(PCA).
Watson,in his concern for spillage from Among the chemicals the plant would
trucks(about 300 vehicle trips per day are receive in bulk and distribute in smaller
expected to be generated to and from the quantities are: ammonium hydroxide,
Plant)said he'd"like to see some experts hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric
Ilook at it. Nobody(in White Bear Lake) acid,ammonium cloride,boric acid and a
4wantscil it exceptandthe the (White Bearcommission.Lake) number
cow planning " Representativesofcleaning of agents.the company, a
The proposed plant received the division of Univar that proposes moving
planning commission's approval and is its current Midway District facilities to
;aiting council action Sept.13.It is to be the White Bear Lake location, stress
Mated north of 1-694, east of the precautions have been taken in the design
i+ttwuit at quarter meile Railroad
Highway 61. of Maplewood and a number f building.
h to Bear