News Subscribe  to Our Newsletter Sign  up for Email Updates CGF  In the News Press  Inquiries Past  Articles Calendar Related articles Intro:  Three perspectives on Hanson Quarry County Response : Regulating  Hanson Quarry CGF Comments: Our response  to quarry and county			The Quarry's Perspective Reclamation status  of Hanson Quarry by Stewart Smith, Vice President, Operations,  Hanson Permanente Cement  Staff members of the Committee for Green Foothills  toured Hanson Permanente Cement's West Materials Storage Area in response  to concerns about visual impact from  the Los Altos area. We appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate the steps  we are taking, and to respond to members of Committee for Green Foothills  about their concerns.  The development of the West Materials Storage Area  was approved by Santa Clara County in a 1985 reclamation plan with specific  construction and vegetation requirements. It provides a location to hold  quarried rock that is presently not economically useful for production  of construction materials. Since inception in 1939, our mining and manufacturing  operations now incorporate about 330 acres -- or less than 10 percent  of the 3500 acres our company holds in the Permanente vicinity. We strive  to consolidate our activities as close as possible to the operating quarry.  Most of our property is maintained in a natural state, contributing to  the open space characteristic of the surrounding public holdings. Some specific details about the West Materials Storage Area include: The storage area developed over the last decade, but construction was conducted out of the viewshed for as long as possible. The area exposed to the Los  Altos viewshed is about five acres measuring about one-quarter of a  mile long (about 1500 feet). As the storage area has developed, it has been hydroseeded with native grass mix at least annually. If future business opportunities make it feasible, the company may reclaim (or remove) some material from the storage area.  At least part of the structure will be permanent  and within the last year, we voluntarily expanded vegetation to include  shrubs and trees to that section. About 80 percent of the exposed five  acres now has been planted in that wooded vegetation ,  using an approach that was successful in our reclamation plan for the  East Storage Area. We will increase density of the woody vegetation, are  supplying water and taking other steps to accelerate growth in order to  diminish the visual distinction from the surrounding hillside. Results  of that effort should be visible in three to five years.  The 1985 reclamation plan remains effective to 2010  and includes both the West and East materials storage areas and the quarry.  We already have started updating the entire site reclamation approach  - required for 2005 -- to assure a relevant design will be in place by  2010. Permanente Cement is an historic and essential materials supplier to northern California construction. Realizing surrounding residential development has created some incompatibilities with our activities, we believe it is good business to do our best to address our neighbors' concerns - as well as to achieve full compliance with our regulatory requirements. We have responded with extensive and voluntary measures in Cupertino to address truck traffic and other issues. We welcome a similar opportunity with the Committee for Green Foothills, or anyone with concerns or questions about our activities. We look forward to keeping the Committee for Green Foothills abreast of our plans. We encourage your visits to our site. Please contact Community Relations Representative John Giovanola, 408-996-4158 with questions or to schedule a tour. Published July 2004 in Green  Footnotes. Page last updated July 13, 2004 .