Required. No person shall perform blasting within the Township without
first obtaining a permit to do so from the Zoning Officer, unless
such work is performed in response to an emergency, under the direction
of the Fire Marshal or Code Enforcement Officer.
Applications. A contractor shall apply for a blasting permit to the
Zoning Officer by tendering payment of the application fee required
and by complying with the following:
The contractor shall provide notice on company letterhead to all
property owners within 500 feet of the blasting at least two weeks
prior to the commencement of blasting. The notification shall include
an offer to inspect, free of charge to the property owner, all structures
on the property for structural integrity and the condition of existing
wells, including sampling of well water, before blasting commences.
The name, address and telephone number of the contractor shall be
listed on the notification. The notice must also include the dates
blasting will occur and an explanation of how the blast will be preceded
by the sounding of a horn, or other method of warning in accordance
with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. All
property owners requesting inspections in writing at least three working
days prior to any blasting work shall have their property inspected
within a reasonable time prior to the commencement of the blasting.
The contractor shall then inspect and document the condition of all
structures and existing physical features. The inspection must include
an assessment of the condition of any existing wells. As part of this
assessment, a sealed sample of well water must be obtained before
blasting commences. The sealed sample will be held for a minimum of
30 days after blasting ceases, and it will be used to compare to post-blast
water quality should a concern arise as a result of the blasting.
Copies of all inspection reports must be submitted to the property
owner and Township 48 hours in advance of the blasting.
The contractor shall provide notice to all property owners between
500 and 800 feet of the blasting at least two weeks prior to commencement
of blasting, which notice includes the dates blasting will occur.
On each day of a blasting event, the contractor shall inform the
Township of the time(s) that the blasting is to occur.
If a contractor is required to perform blasting work to respond to an emergency, at the direction of the Zoning Officer, he or she is not required to obtain a permit or to give notice to property owners as required by §§ 80-1 and 80-2. All other provisions of this chapter shall be followed.
The contractor shall observe all Township ordinances and state and
federal laws and regulations relating to blasting and to the transportation,
storage, handling and use of explosives.
Contractors shall give sufficient warning to all persons in the vicinity
of the work by sounding a horn, or implementing a method of warning
in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Contractors shall employ persons to stop or direct traffic as required.