FW_ _External_ DENY the New RDU Quarry Mining Permit Application

Johnson, Robert E
From: Johnson, Robert E
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2020 7:44 AM
To: NCMiningProgram
Subject: FW: [External] DENY the New RDU Quarry Mining Permit Application
Robert 'Johnson
Based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Environmental Quality has
adjusted operations to protect the health and safety of the staff and public. Many employees are working remotely or
are on staggered shifts. To accommodate these staffing changes, all DEQ office locations are limiting public access to
appointments only. Please check with the appropriate staff before visiting our offices, as we may be able to handle
your requests by phone or email. We appreciate your patience as we continue to serve the public during this
challenging time.
From: Libby Slight [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2020 5:36 PM
To: Johnson, Robert E <[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] DENY the New RDU Quarry Mining Permit Application
Dear DEQ,
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) must deny the mining permit application due to
significant environmental harm caused to Umstead State Park, recreational users, and homeowners
along Old Reedy Creek Road under subsections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
I have been a resident of Wake County for almost 32 years. I participated in both the June 23, 2020
and July 7, 2020 virtual public hearings regarding the permit. During the June 23, 2020 session over
570 participated. Over 75 speakers were allowed to speak during the allotted 4 hour session and they
voiced their concern about the proposed new quarry for the Odd Fellows Tract,105 acres adjacent to
William B. Umstead State Park, one of the busiest and most popular state parks in North
Carolina.The speakers included experts ranging from environmental scientists, wildlife experts, civil

and environmental engineers, educators, attorneys, advocacy groups, politicians and concerned
Triangle residents. I will sight some of their expertise and comments. (It is highly suspect that the
WebEx recordings for both virtual sessions were not made available to all participants. At least they
should have been available on your website.)
Let's evaluate each subsection of the permit in violation.
Subsection 2 states: That the operation will have unduly adverse effects on potable groundwater
supplies, wildlife, or fresh water, estuarine, or marine fisheries.
a. There is strong evidence for the low flow rates of Crabtree Creek to decrease and thereby affect
the permits from the North Cary Water Reclamation Plant. That is because the two 400 ft. deep rock
pits on both sides of the Creek with minimal buffers would "suck" the water out of the Creek for the
1.5 miles along Crabtree just down stream of the Cary plant. Many on the call said that Crabtree
Creek would die if the quarry is allowed to proceed.
b. According to Dr. Ron Sutherland, Chief Scientist, Wildlands Network, the southern end of Umstead
represents the best chance to make sure the state park remains ecologically connected to other
natural areas, particularly Jordan Lake, which has over 40,000 acres of public forest/gamelands.
Jordan Lake's forests are also connected (via several large rivers) to the broader network of habitat
across North Carolina, and it is essential to try to keep Umstead linked together with that network.
The proposed quarry would close off the wildlife corridor between Jordan Lake and Umstead Park
that keeps the wildlife inside the Park thriving, creating habitat fragmentation, resulting in the death of
many species in the Park. Deforestation would also negatively impact the habitats of species.
Subsection 3 states: That the operation will violate standards of air quality, surface water quality, or
groundwater quality that have been promulgated by the Department.
a. In addition to the current and future low flow rates described above under 2.a., there is evidence
that Wake Stone has been allowing run off from their current operations directly into Umstead Park
and Crabtree Creek. Please view photos of the Odd Fellows Tract as taken by an anonymous park
patron and then turned into this video, The Ghost of Oddfellows, by documentarian and filmaker,
Charles Morris-
https:Hvoutu.be/EENixnfBLBw
You can also see photos of the run off from their quarry operations directly into Umstead State Park
and Crabtree Creek in:
The #stopRDUQuarry Explainer Video!
b. Further evidence of violation of air quality, surface water quality, and groundwater quality can be
found in Charles Morris' documentary, 400 Feet Down.
Subsection 4 states: That the operation will constitute a direct and substantial physical hazard to
public health and safety or to a neighboring dwelling house, school, church, hospital, commercial or
industrial building, public road or other public property, excluding matters relating to use of a public
road.
a. The proposed quarry is to reside FEET from the Dunn Family residence. Potential home structural
damage, and real public health concerns relating to air and water quality are anticipated. Charles
Morris' documentary above shows the potential impact of the close proximity of a quarry.
Subsection 5 states: That the operation will have a significantly adverse effect on the purposes of a
publicly owned park, forest or recreation area.
a. Thomas W. Morse, Superintendent of State Parks, North Carolina, states the one basic purpose of
state parks is TO SERVE PEOPLE. That's it!
b. The new pit would be within feet of the Old Reedy Creek Road Greenway. This is perhaps one of
the most popular Greenways in the region. It is part of the East Coast Greenway Trail System,
N

Mountains to the Sea Trail. The noise, dust, and air quality would be a serious issue impacting
people's health.
c. Wake Stone anticipates 500 huge dump trucks per day. This would greatly impact our Greenways
and would NOT be a safe or pleasant experience for the PEOPLE. Will the PEOPLE BE SERVED
with a quarry adjacent to Umstead State Park? NO!
Adverse and unmitigable impacts would occur to potable groundwater supplies; wildlife; Crabtree
Creek; water and air quality standards; and direct hazard to public health, safety and property; our
prized William B. Umstead State Park and the connected Old Reedy Road Corridor.
d. There are 1.8 million visitors to Umstead State Park. This number is up 35% over the prior year.
THESE are the PEOPLE that YOU MUST SERVE! Do not allow a new quarry to be built adjacent to
Umstead State Park. It will adversely affect the purpose of this publicly owned park.
Subsection 6 states: That previous experience with similar operations indicates a substantial
possibility that the operation will result in substantial deposits of sediment in stream beds or lakes,
landslides, or acid water pollution.
a. Wake Stone has been allowing run off from their operations directly into Umstead State Park and
Crabtree Creek. Heavy sediment from the quarry can be found in Crabtree Creek. I refer you back to
Subsection 3, a. and b. for photographic evidence.
Finally, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) must deny the mining permit application due
to significant environmental harm caused to Umstead State Park, recreational users, and
homeowners along Old Reedy Creek Road under subsections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Slight
405 Lochside Drive
Cary, NC 27518
libbyslight(a-gmail.com