Mining company appeals decision; quarry’s future remains uncertain
A Franklin-based mining company has filed an appeal against the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources decision denying a permit to operate a rock quarry in the Tuckasegee community in Jackson County.
The proposed project site, located at the intersection of N.C. 281 and N.C. 107, has received much opposition by area residents and county leaders.
In July, Carolina Boulder and Stone LLC submitted information to DENR to receive a permit but due to the project’s potential negative impact to the community’s natural environment and wildlife, the permit was denied, Jim Simons, director and state geologist at DENR wrote in a letter to the company.
Also, even if the state issued a permit, the quarry project would have been denied a county permit because the project failed to meet the county’s industrial development ordinance.
The project did not meet the county’s set back distance of 1,320 linear feet from the nearest property line of a residential or commercial building.
Since an appeal has been filed, the company will present its case to a Jackson County judge who will make a recommendation to the North Carolina Mining Commission.
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The mining commission is a nine-member board that is comprised of mining, environmental and governmental officials.
The commission can overrule or withhold DENR’s decision, Simons explained.
According to Jackson County courthouse officials a court date has yet to be set.
