To Dan Sams_News and Observer article from Nov 2014 re Knighdale Quarry

July 16, 2020
Dan Sams
Engineering Supervisor
Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Dear Mr. Sams,
I am writing today in follow-up to my letter dated 14/Jul/2020 as I have become aware of some
new information regarding Mr. Bratton's claims that a resident of a home located within 400' of
the Knightdale Quarry pit said they were an "excellent neighbor" and regarding the status of the
Knightdale Quarry.
In his public statement at the 23/Jun/2020 hearing, Mr. Bratton said: "Written testimony has
been submitted from a lady who lived for over 20 years adjacent to the Knightdale Quarry, only
400' from the active pit. Her residence was buffered by a berm similar to the one we propose to
construct to buffer the 2 residences. She states "Wake Stone was an excellent neighbor and
friend to her and her grandparents when they lived in the home." Our blasting and equipment
were well shielded from the residence and we had no adverse impact on her property, house or
well. And that is 400' from the active pit." [I think the last statement seems to originate from Mr.
Bratton, not from Ms. Debman.]
Per his 7/Jul/2020 written statement to Ms. Wehner, Mr. Bratton indicated that the letter from the
home within 400' of the pit came from Ms. Debnam.
Per an article published in the News and Observer on 11/Nov/2014 entitled "Knightdale
considers mining district for Wake Stone's neighbors", "Some residents spoke at the Nov. 3
council meeting to let councilors know of the problems they already have living near the quarry.
Marda Debnam lives on Forestville Road and said she hears machines workinq through the
night at the quarry and once a day in the mid -morning, she feels a blast coming from the
property. She said it shakes her home and is worried what it might be doing to her property. "I
don't know what that's doing to my house," she said."
The full article can be found here:
https://www. newsobserver.com/news/local/community/eastern-wake-
news/articlel 0125839.html?fbclid=lwAROCXgwEe7gaehgAugYin9crSt5CnFoBWwl75LMTCWa
wXAD26Lmecp8WhkQ
This article seems to be in contrast to what Mr. Bratton has claimed. Can you please ask Mr.
Bratton to submit Ms. Debam's letter as evidence? I would think that letter needs to be made
available for review. Also, please send me a copy of this letter once you receive it. Also, can
you let me know if Ms. Debnam signed a confidentiality agreement with Wake Stone?
What transpired with this home does not jive with Wake Stone being a good neighbor and is
thus reason for denying the Triangle Quarry permit modification request. Why would a good
neighbor pay well above retail value for a home and then tear it down? Why would a company
pay $450,000 for something that ends up being valued at $662? Was Ms. Debnam's land
rezoned to industrial because of issues with the Knightdale Quarry? The Dunn's and the Beals
do not want to be forced into the same situation as Ms. Debnam.

In addition, this N&O article indicates that, as of 2014, Wake Stone "estimates their 592 acres of
land [at the Knightdale Quarry] will be usable for 200 to 300 more years." Wake Stone has
sufficient land to either expand the Knightdale Quarry or to create a second pit in that area as
they own several hundred acres adjacent to the Knightdale Quarry. The do not need to quarry
land deeded to the public, especially if the land is next to a highly used state park.
The status of the Knightdale Quarry, the validity and accuracy of Mr. Bratton's claims regarding
Ms. Debnam, and the demolition of the home at 6608 Forestville Road, Knightdale, speak to the
validity of Wake Stone's Triangle Quarry permit modification request. I ask that you deny this
permit modification request as it presents hazard to a neighboring dwelling house ...
public road or other public property. This permit modification request presents a hazard to
the Dunn's home, the Beal's home and homesite, the Old Reedy Creek Road greenway (a
public greenway which is used by thousands of people), and Umstead State Park (a public
property used by thousands that use the Reedy Creek entrance of the Park).
Sincerely,
Digitally signed by Natalie Lew
Natalie LeW Date: 2020.07.16 09:23:17
0 00
Natalie Lew
PO Box 80035
Raleigh, NC 27623