Mike Berta, plant superintendent at Pilarcitos Quarry, said that an overflowing pipe released silt into the creek for about 30 minutes Thursday afternoon before the leak was contained. Though he did not offer any estimate of the discharge, he described it as a "small amount."
The quarry, located at 11700 San Mateo Road, is owned by West Coast Aggregates and processes granite under local permits, Berta said.
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"However, if this was intentional it is completely against the law," he said. "Dumping even one bucket of dirt into state waters is illegal."
The discharge caused a stir in Half Moon Bay Thursday. Pilarcitos Creek became a murky white color for many hours during the afternoon. Keith Mangold, of the Pilarcitos Creek Advisory Committee, said he received numerous calls asking for an explanation.
It remains unclear what damage the silting may have done to the creek. The creek is home to several rare species including federally threatened steelhead trout, the threatened California red-legged frog and the endangered San Francisco garter snake, according to the Committee for Green Foothills Web site.
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