May 2020 Quarry Ltr to Gov from ENO

•
R I V E R
ASSOCIATION
www.enoriver.org • 919-620-9099 - 4404 Guess Road, Durham NC 27712 • [e-mail]
To: Public Comments - Mining Permit 92-10, Triangle Mine, Wake Stone Corporation
Modification Application for a new rock mine - [e-mail]
May 7, 2020
Please accept this letter as a request to DENY the Permit Application requesting to add a new rock mining
pit on the Odd Fellows Tract adjacent from William B. Umstead State Park, and DENY the permit
modifications being requested on the existing quarry pit.
As The Umstead Coalition's partner, the Eno River Association shares Umstead's mission to protect
William B. Umstead State Park and all North Carolina State Parks. If approved, this mine would be the first
private rock mine on public property next to a State Park in our state. This would be a terrible precedent,
as it negates both the protection and mission of our Parks. The permit application should be denied due
to a "significantly adverse effect on the purposes of a publicly owned Park" - William B. Umstead State
Park.
The Odd Fellows Tract has been identified as a vital protection need for William B. Umstead State Park.
This fact is highlighted by its listing on the "Critical Land Acquisition" for water quality protection. This
tract is vital to the recreational and wildlife -connector corridor along Old Reedy Creek Road, near the
Park's Harrison Avenue entrance. The proposed rock mine would cause tremendous harm to water and
air quality, as well as severely disrupt our enjoyment of Umstead State Park.
Please accept this letter as a request to restore the promised 50-year sunset clause to the existing pit.
And, to restore the promised "undisturbed vegetative buffers."
Respectfully,
Jessica L. Sheffield, Executive Director
Cc: The Honorable Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina
Jeremy Tarr, Policy Advisor to Governor Cooper
Dwayne Patterson, Director, N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, NC Department of Natural
and Cultural Resources
Chair, Wendy Jacobs and Durham County Commissioners
Mayor, Steve Schewel and Durham City Council Members