Letter to Request EJ Snapshot Report for Mining Permit No. 92-10

May 27, 2020
SIERRA
CLUB
To: Mr. Brian Wrenn, Director, NC DEMLR
Ms. Judy Wehner, Assist. State Mining Specialist, DEMLR
Please provide an Environmental Justice Snapshot Report for "Wake Stone Mining Permit No.
92-10 to mine the Odd Fellows Tract" for the public to review prior to the public hearing. The
Wake Stone quarry shares an entrance with William B. Umstead State Park on Harrison
Avenue. The fugitive dust emissions, off -road emissions, noise, and conflicts with aggregate
transport trucks impairs access to the park, and the gathering spaces within the park. Mining
activities impair Umstead State Park's ability to fulfill its purpose of serving visitors throughout
the state who come to visit this public park and it's recreation, conservation, and education
amenities. https://www.ncpedia.org/william-b-umstead-state-park
This entrance to William B. Umstead State Park is a remnant of Reedy Creek State Park's
history of racial segregation. Reedy Creek State Park was created on April 24, 1950 with 1,234
acres from the southern end of Crabtree Creek State Park. Although it was designated at that
time as the state's second state park exclusively for use by African Americans, Crabtree Creek
State Park had for many years operated with two entrances, one for blacks and one for whites.
Park brochures would make the segregated distinction until 1965.
https://www.ncpedia.org/reedy-creek-state-park
As part of the State Park's 2017 General Management Plan for Umstead State Park, there is a
Critical Land Acquisition Plan to acquire the Odd Fellows Tract from RDU Airport.
https://files.nc.gov/ncparks/481/WIUM%20GMP%20FINAL%20112117.pdf
The following Draft EIS for Airport Expansion and Improvements, Raleigh Durham Airport, dated
March, 1977 (stamped by the FAA), stated that the plans for 1977 Airport expansion would not
adversely impact the recreation facility on the Odd Fellows Tract. see Part VI: Environmental
Impact Assessment Report, page 95
https://pla ..aoogle.com/books/reader?id=BvoOAQAAMAAJ&hl=en&pg=GBS.PP1
"A recreation area under the jurisdiction of the Odd Fellows Club of Raleigh is located
adjacent to the proposed project site, south of Umstead State Park and west of Crabtree Creek.

The area contains a picnic shelter and a small lake, and is used for monthly club activities. This
recreation facility will not be adversely affected by airport expansion."
Currently, there are many camps and schools that use both the Harrison Avenue Entrance
(bordering the existing quarry) and the Old Reedy Creek Road/Multi-Use Trail thru Umstead
State Park (bordering the Odd Fellows Tract), placing school age children at risk from the
impacts of pollution from the expansion and extension of the life of the triangle quarry.
We are requesting an Environmental Justice Snapshot prior to the public hearing to understand
the modeled emission rates, the study of area demographics and census data, a county health
assessment, and the location of nearby industrial sites including the Hanson and Martin Marietta
Quarry. We need this report to quantify the cumulative impact of modifying the berms and
buffers within the existing mine, and creation of a new mining pit. This will help our community
and all users of Umstead State Park understand the cumulative impact that these quarries and
industrial facilities have on William B. Umstead State Park, Wake County's Crabtree Lake
County Park, Old Reedy Creek, the East Coast Greenway, Big Brothers Big Sisters, NICA,
schools, youth programs, the diverse Park users, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Sincerely,
Hwa Huang
Group Chair
Sierra Club Capital Group
capitalgroupnc(a)amail.com
Liz Adams
Member
Capital Group Sierra Club
Umstead Coalition