MVP Serves the Meadow Vista Community

• January 2005, the Meadow Vista MAC heard that Teichert Construction proposed an asphalt plant at the Chevreaux quarry for the I-80 rehabilitation contract. The project would last two years, with production from 7 pm to 5 am five nights a week, April through October. In addition to moving 128 truckloads out of the quarry (256 round trips through town) every night, raw material (like road grindings, liquid asphalt, and propane fuel) would be brought into the quarry nearly every day. MVP received official IRS determination as a 501(3)(c) non profit charity organization effective February 17th, 2005.

• After the MAC meeting, about fifty residents met to discuss their concerns. They decided to organize and formed Meadow Vista Protection, Inc. (MVP), which was formally registered as a non-profit organization with the State of California on February 17, 2005. MVP adopted this mission: Â To preserve and protect the health, environment and quality of life of our Meadow Vista area community. MVP received official IRS determination as a 501(3)(c) non profit charity organization effective February 17th, 2005.

• MVP Membership is open to area residents, with annual dues of $25 per household. With more than 250 members, MVP currently meets on the last Thursday of the month. This web site offers news articles, meeting dates, photos, and more details about Meadow Vista residents concerns.

• With documentation and assistance provided by MVP, County Counsel Anthony LaBouff issued an opinion on the validity of the asphalt plant permit in February, requesting more detailed information. Realizing that approval was uncertain and would be delayed, Teichert decided to bring the asphalt from Sacramento instead of Meadow Vista.

• Today, residents still have concerns about Chevreaux's asphalt permit, which dates from 1972 and has never had environmental review. In April, the MAC formally requested that Placer County "initiate public hearings to determine the validity and scope of Chevreaux's permit, and specifically address whether or not the permit should be revoked because of years of non-use".

• In a July 1 letter to the MAC, County Counsel wrote: "LDA-786 is a valid existing permit, for a permit revocation process to be initiated, there must be an operation that is definite enough to be able to judge its compliance with LDA-786 as a matter of factual determination."

• MVP feels that it is unfair to Chevreaux and Meadow Vista for equipment to be purchased and erected before the County acts. Many residents have voiced concerns about the effect of asphalt production (and diesel trucks) on our air quality, and the high risk of fire and spills from hazardous materials involved in asphalt production. In the interest of public health and safety, MVP continues to ask the County to consider revocation of the 1972 asphalt permit and require environmental review for any new permit application.

• Meadow Vista is such a beautiful community, and a great place to live, and MVP is trying to preserve the quality of life we all enjoy here!