Introduction

Aggregate products have laid the foundation of contemporary life and our economy. Crushed stone is essential in building homes, schools, hospitals, roads and erosion control projects. Supplying quality stone and asphalt products to meet this need in an environmentally responsible manner is our goal. Aggregate producers recognize that the finite resources of the Earth require wise environmental stewardship to preserve the quality of life for future generations. Tilcon meets all requirements of state and federal environmental regulatory agencies. Our established reputation as an environmental steward, community leader and as a producer of quality aggregates, contributes to our success.

Our Partnership with the Wildlife Habitat Council

Tilcon and Oldcastle Materials Group are committed to improving wildlife habitat through the enrichment of pre-existing habitat and the establishment of new habitat on the company’s land. To put this commitment into action, in 2004 Oldcastle began partnering with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat. Created in 1988, the WHC helps large landowners, particularly corporations, manage their unused lands in an ecologically sensitive manner.

With the assistance of the WHC, a pilot project is currently in progress at Tilcon’s Mt Hope Quarry on 8.6 acres that have been set aside for a wildlife habitat. Leading the project is a team of employees including Tilcon’s Engineering Manager; Training Coordinator; and Engineering Interns. More members will be added to the team as the project progresses.

To establish a Wildlife Management Plan for the area, the first step was to conduct an inventory of the wildlife at the site which was carried out by EcolSciences Inc., a local environmental management company. Tilcon is now developing a series of wildlife enhancement projects which it intends to implement in two phases.

Phase 1 will consist of building habitat boxes for wildlife, creating and enhancing habitats for fish, and establishing plots of native plants. Phase 2 will include the creation of nature trails and the management of forested areas. The first trail will parallel the lake, with lookout spots and benches for people to sit and enjoy their surroundings. The second trail will extend further into the woods, but lead back to the first trail near the lake. Throughout both phases, the Wildlife Habitat Team will observe the area and monitor any changes.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 will be completed over the next few years. The anticipated results of the work will be the presence of more native wildlife and vegetation in the area.

It is hoped that this project will serve as a model for habitat improvement and wildlife management at all Tilcon’s properties in New Jersey and New York.

Reclamation

Sand, gravel and crushed stone are essential resources for home construction, road infrastructure, waste disposal and treatment facilities, water and sewer systems, and private and public buildings.  But every aggregate site will eventually be depleted over time, and there comes a point at which every mined property will need to be reclaimed.

Reclamation is the process of returning the mined property to another usable state.  It is one way that the aggregate industry is able to reduce environmental impacts from mining operations.  Reclamation of a mined-out area is important to communities near an aggregate operation.  Once reserves are depleted, aggregate pits and quarries can be converted into second uses that can include residential communities, resorts, parks, wildlife refuges, golf courses, botanical gardens and wetlands.

Tilcon has reclaimed two former mine sites – Empire Stone Products in New York, and the Clifton quarry in New Jersey.  In 2003, the 30-acre Empire site in Orange County was transformed from a sand and gravel pit to a site that blends in with the natural topography of the surrounding fields and farmlands.  Work is underway at the former Clifton mine site to transform it to a housing project which will feature town homes, condominiums and attached villa style homes.  The rock cliffs will predominate in the background of this active adult community being developed by K. Hovnanian.