Press Release: Don't Leave It to Beaver Welcomes Opposition to Beaver Gravel Pit from Noblesville Plan Commission Staff Report and Indiana American Water

For Immediate Release
12 NOV 2020
Inquiries: stopbeaver@gmail.com

NOBLESVILLE – Growing opposition to the proposed Beaver gravel pit at Potter’s Bridge Park now includes Indiana American Water and the official staff report from the Noblesville Plan Commission.

Ahead of the Nov. 16 Plan Commission meeting, Noblesville utility Indiana American Water, Noblesville District has entered into the record a letter of opposition to the proposed sand and gravel extraction by Beaver Materials at Potter’s Bridge Park.

Don’t Leave It to Beaver is heartened that Indiana American Water agrees that this joint proposal between Beaver Materials and the Hamilton County Parks Department causes more harm than good for our community.

At the same time, the Noblesville Plan Commission staff issued a recommendation that the proposal to turn some 30 acres of farmland on Allisonville road into a gravel and sand excavation operation – and later a gravel pit lake – be forwarded to the Common Council with an unfavorable recommendation; that is, the staff have recommended the Common Council deny the requested zoning change.

“Staff recommends the Commission forward this petition with an unfavorable recommendation to the City Council for denial of the change of zoning” the staff report reads.

Don’t Leave It to Beaver value and appreciate the Staff’s recommendation that this project move forward with an unfavorable recommendation.

According to the staff report, “The comprehensive plan also explicitly discourages development. The proposed gravel extraction activity would be considered development based upon the UDO [unified development ordinance] definition, specifically within the floodplain.”

According to the Indiana American Water letter, their “opposition to this project is based on the potential negative impact to both the quantity and quality of the Siluruan and Devonian Carbonates Aquifer System and three wellfields located near State Road 37 and Allisonville Rd, Cumberland Rd and the north side of the White River, and between the White River Christian Church and the White River.”

The Indiana American Water letter continues, “these mining operations will create a short-cut for contaminants to enter our supply wells by removing the filtering capability these materials provide and significantly reducing the time of travel for surface water and any associated contaminants into the aquifer.”

The Plan Commission staff report also states concern on water quality issues as raised by the Indiana American Water letter: “Water quality and quantity concerns expressed by Indiana American Water create significant environmental impact considerations.”

Concerned Noblesville citizens opposed to the proposed Beaver gravel pit are encouraged to take action in the following ways:

  • Attend a peaceful demonstration outside City Hall from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16 outside City Hall.

    • Demonstrators are encouraged to wear facial coverings, remain socially distant and allow pedestrians to pass unencumbered.

  • Attend the Plan Commission meeting Nov. 16. Don’t Leave It to Beaver is working with the City to find a safe way for all interested citizens to make their voice heard in light of new COVID-19 restrictions. More information forthcoming on how to participate virtually.

  • Write their Common Council representative, including at-large members, to voice their opposition to the Beaver gravel pit.

  • Sign the online petition at Change.org/stopbeaver.

  • Visit dontleaveittobeaver.com to find out more ways to take action or to read more out the issues at stake.

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To be added to press updates, email stopbeaver@gmail.com.

Don't Leave It to Beaver is a community group comprised of concerned Noblesville citizens advocating against the proposed Beaver Gravel Pit next to Potter's Bridge Park and hundreds of homes. Don't Leave It to Beaver strives to protect our families, our environment, and Hamilton County citizens-at-large from the health and safety risks the gravel pit poses to this highly residential area of Noblesville.

Rachael Raymer