JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers HARD ROCK—This is an easterly view of the Pacific Rock quarry, formerly known as the Mary Smith quarry, on a mountainside near the 101 Freeway, south of the Conejo Grade. The quarry has been operating for decades. It excavates boulders for private companies and government agencies to fortify coastal and creek embankments. Bruce Smith, a manager with Ventura County's planning division, said the law requires certification that slopes that have been mined are left geologically stable. The county and state must also sign off on such certificates. If you have a "What's up with that?" inquiry, send it to steve@theacorn.com or to the address on page 4. We'll try our best to answer it as quickly as possible.