B-Denton_Public_Hearing_Notes

NCDEMLR Public Hearing Comments
March 29, 2021
Mine Name: Scott Farm Road Mine
Applicant: Tim Morton Trucking, LLC
Co -hearing Officer: Bill Denton, Regional Engineer, Raleigh Regional Office
[Hearing called to order at 6:00 PM)
The remaining sections are a summary of the public comments provided by the 5 persons who pre-
registered to speak as well as a sixth person who did not pre -register. Those who pre -registered are
listed in the order that they ultimately spoke (in some cases there were technical/communications
issues that prevent individuals from speaking when their name was initially called). The sixth
(unregistered) person is listed last.
Ethan Koslowski (local resident
• Expressed concerns about drinking water wells in the area of the proposed mine (referred to
Item 4 of the mine application).
• Expressed concerns about dust issues greatly increasing along the road to the mine. He noted
that dust there is already a problem during dry periods and anticipates it will worsen with mine
traffic.
• Given the presence of predominantly clayey soils, he was concerned about the impact of
pumping.
Jim Van Riper (local resident)
• Indicated that he lived within 1000 feet of the proposed site and has a well he uses both for
drinking water and irrigation.
• Expressed concern about surface water entering the aquifer.
• Expressed concern about impacts to stream adjacent to his property due to sedimentation from
the mine. Noted that the stream supports wildlife and is used for recreational purposes as well.
When the opportunity for any additional comment was offered near the end of the hearing, Mr. Van
Riper added the following:
• Inquired as to land ownership and reported an apparent tax record discrepancy; asserted that
the owner purported on the tax records appears to be different than reported on the mine
application.
• Inquired as to who pays taxes on the land.

Tyndall Lewis (engineer with McDavid Associates — Consultant for Jones County)
• Mr. Lewis expressed concern that the proposed pumping at the mine may have a detrimental
impact on wells 9 & 10 at the newly designed Water Treatment Plant (WTP) serving Jones
County (1/2 mile distant). The $11 million WTP project will be essentially useless if these wells
are negatively impacted.
• Insisted that DEMLR make the applicant perform necessary studies to determine potential for
impacts to wells 9 & 10.
• Mr. Lewis will submit comments in writing to DEMLR as well.
William (;rnniar
{Mr. Gower was called first but did not initially respond due to apparent technical/communications
issues. He ultimately was able to speak via telephone after Mr. Lewis.}
• Referenced notes from County Commissioner's conference call.
• Ask what is in place to prevent the mine from being reclaimed as a landfill rather than the
currently proposed lake.
• Expressed concern over fencing to protect area wildlife.
Frankv Howard (spoke on behalf of the Jones Countv Commissioners
{Mr. Howard was called fourth but did not initially respond due to apparent technical/communications
issues. He ultimately was able to speak via telephone after Mr. Gower.}
• Thanked all parties involved for holding/participating in the hearing. Specifically acknowledged
Tyndall Lewis (consulting engineer).
• Reiterated others in expressing the need to identify private drinking water wells and address
potential for impacts to them.
• Reiterated concerns regarding potential impacts to planned WTP for Jones County.
• Mr. Howard will submit comments in writing to DEMLR as well.
Call -in user on behalf of Eleanor Simms property (Ms. Simms is a nearby land owner; speaker initially
identified himself as Ms. Simm's grandson)
• Noted that previous truck traffic had damaged pavement on NC 17 and nothing was done to
repair it. Expressed concern a similar thing would occur with heavy mine traffic.
• Noted that previous dump truck traffic had caused a major dust problem Expressed concern a
similar thing would occur with the mine traffic.
[Hearing was adjourned at 6:52 PM]