Opponents of a quarry near Umstead State Park are asking for a public hearing, once it's safe to have one, on a permit for the operation filed by Wake Stone Corp. early this month.
The property on which Wake Stone proposes a rock quarry is a wooded tract next to William B. Umstead State Park, a gem of green in the middle of an increasingly urbanized area between Raleigh, Durham and other Triangle communities.
The undeveloped property has long been used as a connector between public lands by hikers, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts. A lease for the quarry was approved by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority even though an offer was made in 2017 to purchase the property for conservation.
Wake Stone filed its mining permit modification request with the state Division of Energy, Minerals and Land Resources (DEMLR) on April 8.
The N.C. Sierra Club and other quarry opponents are concerned about potential impacts from noise, dust, increased industrial traffic, and other elements of the quarry on the park, nearby homes, wetlands, and water quality.
The following statement was issued by Hwa Huang, chair of the Capital Group of the N.C. Sierra Club:
"Sierra Club members, residents near the proposed quarrying site and park users have made very clear their interest and concern over the proposed quarry and the RDU Authority's lease to Wake Stone. Our objections should be heard by the state in a proper, public forum that allows for full consideration of the detailed issues we would like to raise. We respectfully urge DEMLR to delay consideration of the permit until it is safe to have an in-person public hearing."
Join this request to DEMLR for a public hearing on the Wake Stone quarry permit!