Kevin, I would be equally concerned about the inevitable wind-blown dust and its effect on bacterial disease, dislike of u-pick customers for sand storms. The company may have a written plan for controlling dust (sprinkling with water, etc), but this often is an idealistic idea rather than a reality.
Gravel operations are often required to erect berms and evergreen tree barriers for privacy and sand drift abatement. This can play havoc with natural air drainage channels. These operations sometime reveal more extensive mining plans once they get started. Counties and townships have been known to agree to proposals before the implications to adjoining property are understood. We have had bad experiences with gravel/sand mining operations here in SW Michigan for the above reasons. A lot of suits have been brought against mining operations as you can see: http://www.aggman.com/news/news2004.htm Bill Shane -----Original Message----- From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kevin A. Iungerman Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 11:12 AM To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Apple-Crop: Gravel mining impacts on bordering orchard? Hello everyone. I was contacted by a friend with a small orchard near Buffalo, MN who has learned that a new property owner plans to surface mine gravel on land adjacent to, and upslope of his small orchard. Eventually, the property owner intends to sub-divide the land after the gravel is removed. As the neighbor's intent suggests, the orchard itself is a considerably gravelly-loam soil, although, as happens on the prairie, there is a small wetland and small lake to the other side of the orchard, so obviously, some underlying areas have either good clay content and compacted layers (or less likely, stone ledge). I was asked, but did not know what the hydrological impacts might be upon the orchard (if any) - save surface water run-off when soils are either frozen or at field capacity. For my friend's benefit, and also my own elucidation -- and possibly, to similar gain for others out there -- I am interested in learning of possible negative ramifications of such a venture, from persons with similar circumstance or with particular knowledge in this regard. Thanks much. Best Regards, Kevin Iungerman. -- Kevin Iungerman, Extension Associate Cornell Northeastern NY Commercial Fruit Program Serving NY's Upper Hudson and Champlain Region (Albany, Saratoga, Washington, Essex and Clinton Counties) Growing McIntosh, Honeycrisp, and other fine apples and fruit! 50 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 Phone: (518) 885-8995 FAX: (518) 885-9078 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Possibilities begin with people sharing ideas and working together." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content.
