Harford County residents are concerned for their health and homes because of a bill introduced to the County Council that aims to expand mining operations by allowing blasting operations to take place 1,000 feet closer to residential properties.

“If you stood in my house when a shockwave happens — which is about four times a week — you would feel the whole house shake,” said Havre de Grace resident Al Peteraf. “These things make you wonder what it is doing to your home’s foundation. How many times can you shake a house?”

Peteraf’s property line is 1,500 feet from a quarry owned by Vulcan Materials Company — one of the largest mining companies in the United States, worth more than $36 billion.

If passed by the Harford County Council, the bill would allow Vulcan to move its mining operation just 25 feet from Peteraf’s property line and conduct blasting operations 1,000 feet closer to his home.

The bill, introduced by Councilman James Reilly on Dec.10, aims to replace portions of the Harford County Code with provisions in the Code of Maryland Regulations — eliminating local control and oversight of mining operations through the adoption of law set by the state.

Harford’s code mandates that extraction activities maintain a minimum buffer of 1,000 feet from any adjacent road and a minimum buffer of 1,500 feet from any adjacent residentially zoned parcel.

For blasting, Harford’s code prohibits blasting within 2,000 feet of residentially zoned or historic landmarks.

If the Code of Maryland Regulations language were to replace Harford’s locally crafted regulation, surface mining would only require a 25-foot setback from residential property lines and a blasting setback of 1,000 feet from occupied houses.

“While consistency with state regulations can simplify the processes, it should not come at the expense of local oversight, environmental protection or public safety,” said Aberdeen resident, Blane Miller, in a letter to the Harford County Council. “Numbers like 1,000 feet or 25 feet are not just technical specifications; they directly affect the safety, well-being and quality of life of Harford County residents.”

During the bill’s public hearing last week, Reilly said the bill mainly “has to do with Vulcan Quarry.” But residents like Mary Ann Lisanti — who served two terms on the Harford County Council and two terms as a state delegate — said the bill’s reach is much greater.

“While Reilly states that his bill was to aid Vulcan Industries at the Havre de Grace Quarry, it would apply to all mining and quarry operations in Harford County,” Lisanti wrote in a letter to The Aegis.

Vulcan Materials Company, with Joppatowne-based operations, is one of four mining operations in Harford. The others are Harford Minerals, Allan Myers Mountain Materials and Reclamation, and the Martin Marietta Churchville quarry.

Two representatives from Vulcan Materials were the only speakers during the bill’s public hearing last week. The company’s environmental manager, Johnnie Johnson, said blasting has been studied for decades and that through modern technology, emulsion products and computer-designed blasting, operations are designed not to cause damage to surrounding structures.

“After reviewing this proposal, we are confident that this legislation will not negatively impact our ability to operate our facility safely while continuing to comply with all regulations intended to protect the environment and neighborhoods around the facility,” Johnson said.

The company’s community and government relations manager, Justin Stein, said professionals with the Maryland Department of the Environment created the state provision. “Who better to set standards than professionals?” he asked.

He noted that the safety record of mines in Maryland is “exceptional” and encouraged the council to implement the state provisions.

“By linking the county’s blasting setbacks directly to the standards set at the state level, you can be assured that you are providing the highest protection and safety of the communities located around quarries while at the same time allowing quarries to operate and provide much-needed construction aggregate,” Stein said.

Peteraf and other residents said they have been in contact with Reilly and are urging him to withdraw the bill. Peteraf said Reilly informed residents that he would have an answer on what he plans to do with the bill on Friday.

Reilly did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@baltsun.com, 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X.