County to postpone decision on reclamation plan for quarry

Although county officials originally thought they would reach a final decision Wednesday night on reclamation plans for a quarry west of Lawrence near the Shawnee County line, it appears that won’t happen.

Tuesday afternoon, Douglas County Administrator Craig Weinaug said Keith Browning, the county’s engineer, needed more time to provide an opinion about how large lakes at Big Springs Quarry can be. Weinaug said the item would remain on Wednesday’s agenda, but commissioners likely won’t make a decision until their Nov. 4 meeting.

Mid-States Materials LLC of Topeka proposed the reclamation plans after it bought the quarry in 2007 from Martin Marietta Materials. Neighbors have long had environmental concerns.

Commissioners will handle administrative items at 4 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass. At 6:35 p.m., in addition to hearing an update on the quarry, they will consider the Westar Energy’s proposal for a fabric filter and scrubber upgrade project at the Lawrence Energy Center.