County to consider reclamation plan for quarry

Douglas County commissioners Wednesday night could wrap up a long debate over reclamation plans for a quarry operation west of Lawrence near the Shawnee County line.

Two weeks ago, commissioners asked for county staff members to make recommendations on the finished elevation of the reclaimed land and how large lakes at the quarry can be.

Commissioners will meet at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass.

They will consider approving reclamation plans for Big Springs Quarry from Mid-States Materials LLC of Topeka. Neighbors have had environmental concerns about use of the quarry.

The Topeka company bought the quarry — south of County Road 442 near the Shawnee County line — from Martin Marietta Materials in 2007.

Neighbors claimed Martin Marietta officials did not live up to conditions of a permit issued in 1990, and earlier this year the two sides settled a federal lawsuit out of court.