Calhoun County, AL – The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has announced a public hearing regarding a proposed rock quarry near the entrance of Cheaha State Park in Anniston. This decision comes after extending the period for public comments due to growing concerns from residents near Oxford and Heflin.
The proposed rock quarry, sought by Pillar Materials, LLC, has stirred a wave of apprehension among the local community. Residents are expressing fears ranging from potential environmental damage to noise pollution and the contamination of drinking water sources. Of particular concern are the potential impacts on plant and animal life, given the proximity of a reservoir and residential areas that could be affected by increased noise levels.
Residents have voiced their frustration, feeling blindsided by the project as they became aware of it just as the public comment period was drawing to a close. To address this, the public comment period has been extended to December 22, providing residents with additional time to share their thoughts and concerns. Comments can be submitted electronically here or by mail.
A public hearing on the proposed permits for the quarry is scheduled for Tuesday, January 23, at 6 p.m. The event will take place at the Oxford Civic Center located at 401 McCullars Lane in Oxford. During this hearing, residents will have the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to ADEM officials.
Pillar Materials, LLC, is seeking both an Air Permit and a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for the facility. According to ADEM draft permits, the quarry’s purpose is to harvest dolomite limestone.
In response to the growing opposition, concerned residents have banded together, launching the website noquarryinoxford.com to galvanize support against the proposed quarry plan. The site emphatically conveys the sentiment that the project is incompatible with its surroundings, particularly highlighting its proximity to hundreds of homes, the cherished Cider Ridge Golf Course, and scenic hiking areas in the nearby Talladega National Forest.
Residents are also raising questions about the anticipated truck traffic, emphasizing that no traffic study appears to have been submitted. The potential influx of trucks, particularly at Exit 191, is causing apprehension among the community. Residents are concerned about the impact of heavy rock-laden trucks on local roads and whether the infrastructure can sustain such weight.
Environmental advocates are also raising questions about the potential pollution of nearby Coosa River tributaries, specifically Jackson and Choccolocco Creeks. As the date of the public hearing approaches, the community remains engaged in a united effort to ensure their concerns are heard and considered by regulatory authorities.
