NC0089168_Sound Rivers_Comments_20240904

September 4, 2024
Via email
Derek Denard, Program Consultant
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
217 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
877-623-6748
derek.denard()deq.nc.gov
Re: Request for public hearing and 60-day extension of time to submit public
comments on draft NPDES Permit No. NC0089168 for Martin Marietta
Materials Vanceboro Quarry
Mr. Denard,
On behalf of Sound Rivers and the Blounts Creek community, I am writing to request two
public hearings about the draft NPDES permit No. NC0089168 ("Draft Permit") for the
Martin Marietta Materials limestone quarry in Vanceboro, N.C. This permit has generated
continued and significant public interest over the last 15 years and was the subject of a
decade -long court case. There are now many new residents who will be affected by the
mine's discharge and should have the opportunity to comment and ask questions in
person. Additionally, the mine has yet to break ground or begin any operations. DWR has
the opportunity to review new data and information that is relevant to the current
conditions of Blounts Creek as well as permit conditions and compliance with North
Carolina rules and regulations.
Just last week, 70 community members gathered at Cotton Patch Landing on Blounts
Creek to participate in an informal meeting hosted by Sound Rivers and local residents
about the Draft Permit and upcoming public comment deadline. Many of those participants
have signed onto this letter, requesting public hearings, demonstrating a substantial
interest in the permit. That list is enclosed for your reference.
Sound Rivers respectfully requests an in -person public hearing and a virtual public hearing
to maximize opportunities for the public to weigh in on the Draft Permit. Under state law,
both hearings require 30 days' notice. We request that the in -person hearing be held in
Beaufort County. Sound Rivers can suggest meeting places to local DWR staff once the
hearing is granted.
Additionally, Sound Rivers writes to request a 60-day extension of the deadline for public
comments for the Draft Permit. The materials supporting the Draft Permit are technical in
nature, span an almost 15-year period, and will require significant time for review and
response.

Thank you for your attention to this request. Please contact me via email
([e-mail]) or phone [phone]) with any questions or to discuss this
matter further.
Sincerely,
Katey Zimmerman
Pamlico Tar Riverkeeper
Sound Rivers

Petition for Public Hearing
We, the undersigned, request one or more public hearings located wahm Beaufort County, so that
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914124, 11 '01 AM
Mail - Denard, Derek - Outlook
[External] Public Hearing and Comment Period Extension Request
Katey Zimmerman <[e-mail]>
Wed 9/4/2024 10:47 AM
To:Denard, Derek <derek,[e-mail]>;Rogers, Richard E [e-mail]>;Dowden, Doug
doug.dowden @deq.nc.gov a
Cc:Heather Deck [e-mail]>
11 1 attachments (4 MB)
2024 09 04 Public Hearing and Extension Req.docx;
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Good Morning Mr. Rogers, Denard, and Dowden,
Please find attached Sound Rivers requests for public hearings and a comment period extension for
the draft NPDES Permit No. NCO089168 for Martin Marietta Materials Vanceboro Quarry.
We appreciate your consideration of these requests.
Katey Zimmerman
Sound Rivers, Inc.
Pamlico Tar Riverkeeper
[e-mail]
www.soundrivers.org
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