Cary PH Comments for Permit Modification No. 92-10

TOWN MANAGER'S OFFICE
July 17, 2020
Judy Wehner
Assistant State Mining Specialist
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612
[e-mail]
Subject: Public Comments on Pending Wake Stone Corporation Mining Permit Modification No. 92-10
Dear Ms. Wehner:
We understand and appreciate how important stakeholder engagement is to achieving the best overall
outcomes in decision making. As a local government, that issues permits and administers our own public
comment processes, the Town of Cary values NCDEQ's dedicated service in managing these important
processes, and we respectfully submit the following written comments on pending mining permit
modification, number 92-10 for your consideration.
The proposed Wake Stone Quarry is in the heart of the Triangle region and is surrounded by the Raleigh
Durham International Airport, the towns of Cary and Morrisville, the City of Raleigh, Umstead Park, and
Lake Crabtree. Cary owns, operates, and maintains a range of public infrastructure near the proposed
quarry expansion area that are highlighted within our comments below. We seek to ensure that our public
infrastructure investments are kept safe and trust that you will consider what is in the overall best interest
of the region's current and future economy, environment, and health as you make your decision on this
quarry proposal.
- a�

The North Cary Water Reclamation Facility, located just south of this proposed quarry and adjacent to I-
40 (photo above), treats approximately 7 million gallons per day and serves a population of greater than
80,000 citizens, businesses, schools, and non-profit agencies. This critical facility depends upon the
long-term integrity and vitality of Crabtree Creek, which is the receiving stream for highly treated
wastewater. As the holder of the relevant state operating permits, Cary is tasked with and committed to
the long-term protection of Crabtree Creek and our sustained capacity to safely operate Cary's North
Water Reclamation Facility in compliance with all regulatory permits. We appreciate your consideration
of and attention to the long-range benefits of stream protections for maintaining our essential wastewater
treatment services both now and in the future.
Cary also owns and operates the Old Reedy Creek Trailhead, a road, bridge, and several greenways
located just south of this proposed quarry and adjacent to 1-40 (photos above) that provide connectivity
with Umstead Park. With the sizable investment in public infrastructure, we ask that you please consider
and keep safe these public investments along with those who maintain and enjoy them.
Based on the blasting analysis provided in the mining permit modification application, we have questions
regarding the proposed quarry's impact on Cary's infrastructure including the Old Reedy Creek Bridge
and the North Cary Water Reclamation Facility that the application may not fully address, and we ask
that you please ensure that adequate provisions for blasting monitoring are provided during quarry
construction and operations to protect Cary's infrastructure as well as the surrounding environment.
Finally, we note that concerns with impacts to the environment, public health and safety, and recreation
have been raised by citizens during the public comment period as described by the provisions of the
Mining Act of 1971, Section 74-51 (D). We want to thank you for holding this public input period and
accepting public comments, including ours, so that all concerns can be heard and reviewed as part of
your decision process. Should you decide to expand your review to include either the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and/or State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), we will continue to
follow and participate as we feel is warranted and helpful.
In conclusion, we respectfully submit these comments for your review and consideration. If we can
provide additional information or answer any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
a`
Russ Overton, P.E.
Deputy Town Manager
Town of Cary