Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Blasting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board presses Beta on blasting safeguards, pre-blast surveys and vibration limits
Summary
During review of Beta Technologies' excavation plan, board members urged expanding pre-blast surveys beyond a 250-foot baseline, applying vibration limits to the nearest structures not controlled by Beta and requiring monitoring and daily blast notifications; Beta said it will follow state guidance and conduct surveys where appropriate.
Board members extensively questioned the applicant about blasting safeguards and monitoring during the April 7 hearing for Beta Technologies' excavation permit.
Staff and the applicant referenced a state "active 50" blasting guidance document that the applicant used to design a blasting plan, which proposes 250 feet as a baseline for pre-blast surveys. Several board members urged expanding that baseline to include properties on Palmer Court and buildings along Williston Road, citing first-hand experience of feeling blasts beyond the 250-foot radius.
Alex Gagnon, representing Beta, said: "It's in our interest to do these pre blast surveys as well, and make sure that we're sort of covering our liability on these other facilities that are close by." The board stressed that peak particle velocity and vibration-monitoring points should be applied at the nearest structure not controlled by Beta and asked staff to identify a reasonable distance and verify monitoring protocols with the state guidance.
The applicant and staff also confirmed that blasting and crushing would be limited to daytime hours and that the applicant will provide blast schedules and daily updates. The board requested pre-blast surveys and monitoring to be defined in the revised materials before the May 5 continuation.
