A plan to expand Northern Aggregates’ Harris Quarry south of Willits, Calif., cleared a hurdle when the Mendocino County, Calif., board of supervisors unanimously certified the environmental impact report (EIR) for the project and approved zoning changes to allow an asphalt plant at the site. According to the Ukiah Daily Journal, the project would allow Northern Aggregates to rezone about 18 acres of the land to accommodate the proposed asphalt plant.

Martin Marietta Materials Inc. withdrew its permit application for a quarry in Onslow County, N.C., according to a report in The Daily News, Jacksonville, N.C. The move came after the company presented an amended plan following its initial bid for a special-use permit. The plan for a 1,831-acre limestone operation – which was to have three phases with the first phase taking 40 years to mine – generated community opposition.