Letter to Sec Regan - RDU Quarry Hearing

�nr#� Cnttrnlirttt (f�erxerttr ��semhl�r
�enttte
16TH DISTRICT
OFFICE ADDRESS: 1 121 LEGISLATIVE BUILDING
16 W. JONES STREET
RALEIG H, NC 27601-2808
TELEPHONE: [phone]
[phone] FAX
EMAIL: W1�0)/.fIICk8��f1C�B9.f181
DISTRICT: WAKE COUNTY:
CARY, MORRISVILLE, & RALEIGH
Via Electronic Delivery
Secretary Michael Regan
217 West Jones Street
1�-1ai1 Service Venter 4601
Raleigh, NC 27601
Dear Secretary Michael Regan,
COMMITTEES:
AGRICULTURE/ENVIRONMENT/NATURAL
RESOURCES
APPROPRIATIONS ON EDUCATION/HIGHER
EDUCATION
PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT AND AGING
O��er the past several years, a heated debate lias raged over the fate of the "Odd Fellows Tract," a
forested area neighboring William B. Umstead State Park. Local residents, activists, and
organizations have rallied around the banner of environmental protection, public health, and
recreational opportunity. Through the creation of a documentary, regular rallies and events, and
an extensive yard -sign campaign, these advocates have displayed their public displeasure to
Wake Stone Corporation's plans to turn this forested parcel into the first private rack quarry on
public land in 1'�orth Carolina.
Specifically, advocates have expressed concerns relating to:
• The inadequacy of the reclamation plan, which remains vague and fails to express how
commitments would be enforced and by whom.
Failure of the application to adequately address noise and vibration impacts on the parr.,
as t11e study included within file application fails to shed light on how the park experience
may be impacted for recreational users.
• Failure; of the application to indicate intent to seek fiirther storm«-ater coverage for the
land. at hand.
• Failure of the application to disclose all potential impacts to waters. and Fvetlands.
As State Senator of the 16th district, which includes the (add Fellows 'Tract, I respectfully request
that consideration of Wake Stone Corporation's request. for a mining pernnit for this area of land
be delayed until an in -person, public hearing can safely be held. The voices of local advocates,
and their environmental, public health, and residential concerns are pertinent to tine decision at
hand. Silencing local residents by building a wall around our most controversial decisions would
�a

not only decrease trust in the equity of our permitting processes, but also harm our quest for
transparent government.
I hope that you will stand with. me In ensuring that our permit process reinains in the best interest
of our state and accessible to public input. 1. would be glad to discuss further with your office on.
this matter.
Best regards,
4 �
Wiley Nickel
Senator, District 16
cc; Sheila I-lolntan, assistant Secretary; l�iorth Carolina Department of En�irc>ninental
O
uality
Brian. Wrenn., Director, Forth Carolina Division of Energy, l.,and Resources and Mining
Soy Flicks, legislative director, Forth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality