Wake Quarry 7_15_20

Date: July 15, 2020
To: Director Brian Wrenn, Division of Energy, Minerals and Land Resources (DEMLR), NCDEQ
From: Dr. Khara Grieger, Cary, NC
Re: Comments on Wake Stone Corp., Application for Modification of Mining Permit —Triangle
Quarry Mining Permit No. 92-10
Dear Director Wrenn,
I am writing to express concern regarding Wake Stone's application to modify its mining permit (Permit
No. 92-10) because of its potential to adversely affect the publicly owned Umstead State Park and
connected ecological areas. I urge you to deny Wake Stone's application to modify its permit. My
concerns relate to the following:
First, the reclamation plan is inadequate since it essentially leaves the detailed decisions regarding post -
mining land use for a time after the mining has ended. Further, the application makes reference to
commitments that Wake Stone has made on trails and other recreational areas but details regarding
decisions about these are vague. The reclamation plan should include plans for how the area will be
compatible with other recreational activities in Umstead after the mining period has ended.
Second, the application does not describe how Umstead users may be impacted by the increased levels
of noise and vibration from the mining activities. More details are needed to better understand the
anticipated noise impacts in the parks or on the trails, especially those near blasting sites. Since the new
quarry pit would be positioned closer to recreational areas, it would be important to have a better
description of what this would entail under expected operations and if these noises would change users'
visitation rates and quality of park use.
Third, the permit application lacks adequate stormwater coverage for the new quarry area. While the
mining permit references the existing stormwater General Permit, the application does not state if a
modification to existing coverage will be added to the new site. This is important because stormwater
needs to be adequately managed to protect surface waters, wetlands, and associated ecosystems.
Especially given the expected increase in stormwater events in the coming years and decades, adequate
stormwater coverage needs to be included in plans for the permit application.
Finally, the permit application does not sufficiently describe all potential impacts to surrounding waters
and wetlands. The application primarily discusses impacts to wetlands and waters based on the
construction of their bridge, which is the first phase of their operation. Rather, the application should
have information on impacts to waters and wetlands in all of the phases of their operation. A more
adequate description of potential environmental impacts from the modification of the permit would
also allow for a more transparent review and evaluation by diverse members of the community,
including scientists, environmental advocates, and private citizens. The landslide that occurred in 1992
due to a quarry blast from Wake Stone that covered Crabtree Creek should serve as a clear reminder of
the importance of safeguarding our waterways from quarry blasts.
Due to these concerns, I strongly recommend that DEMLR deny Wake Stone's application to modify its
mining permit. Thank you for the opportunity to express my comments.
Sincerely,
Khara Grieger, PhD
Assistant Professor in Environmental Health & Risk Assessment at North Carolina State University, Environmental Advisory
Board Member for Town of Cary. Note: These comments are entirely my own, and I am writing as a private citizen of Cary.
These views also do not reflect the views from my employer or affiliated institutions.