Maricopa County recently received a letter from EPA allowing a variance from the 4% moisture content on materials feeding into hot mixed asphalt plants.  The Arizona Rock Products Association submitted an analysis regarding the benefits of emissions reduction and fuel cost savings, after initial approval by the Maricopa County Air Quality Department, it was then sent to the EPA.  The approval allows members to avoid using valuable water resources to reduce emissions created from burning additional fuel thus creating more emissions while drying the materials for processing.  A special thank you goes out to Barb Sylvester of Brown and Caldwell for her efforts on the analysis.  For a copy of the letter contact Steve Trussell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

ARPA has been participating in the Arizona Geologic Mapping Advisory Committee alongside State Geologist, Dr. Lee Allison.  Bob Linsell of Granite Construction and Eric Mears of Brown and Caldwell have graciously stepped up to assist the State in identifying critical areas to be mapped.  Both are registered geologists and have extensive experience in this area. The documents that result from their efforts will be used by the state, counties and municipalities to identify, among other things critical resource areas of potential reserves that will need to be considered in general planning.