More Answers to Your Questions
about Martin Marietta Aggregates'
Proposed Quarry
Martin Marietta Aggregates is proposing to develop a
limestone quarry on about 1 ,000 acres of land in the
vicinity of the intersection of N.C. 133 , N.C. 87 and Sunny
Point Road. The facility would include limestone mining
operations and facilities for processing raw materials for
shipment. In this second in a series oj informational
advertisements , we answer some common questions recently
posed by Brunswick County residents.
I'm on well water. Will the quarry affect my
well?
Our site will he excavated 80 to 90 feet. It is
possible that older, shallow-water wells less than 40
feet deep near the site may be affected by our
operations. In this unlikely event, Martin Marietta
will offer those well owners a choice in replacing their
water source, if county water is available on the road.
At our cost, we will substitute the affected well with a
deeper one and cover required water sampling
charges. Or if the resident prefers, we also will pay to
connect the home to the county water system, which
ensures continuous access to clean, high-quality
water.
What about sinkholes? Will any he created
by the mining operations?
This area of the state is susceptible to sinkholes.
Sinkholes are natural depressions that result from the
collapse of underground cavities. Our consulting
hydrologist reports that no sinkholes are expected to
occur beyond the quarry site. As an extra precaution,
however, we will have a contingency plan in place for
prompt filling of sinkholes - on-site or off-site - that
may occur from our operations.
Will quarry operations cause salt water to
enter my well?
A layer of clay separates the area's water table
from intruding salt water. Our consulting hydrologist
reports that this layer will not be disturbed off-site.
On-site, only the quarry's pit will be affected.
Is water necessary for mining operations? If
so, what will happen to this water? What
will happen to the groundwater siphoned off
during operations?
It is important to distinguish between process
water and groundwater.
Process water is water used during the mining
process. At our quarry, this water will be in an entirely
closed-circuit system, where it is recycled for use
again and again. Process water is clarified through an
on-site system that includes several settling ponds. At
no time will process water be discharged off-site.
Groundwater includes water removed from the
ground during mining, seepage and rainwater that
collect in the mining pit. Approximately 10 million
gallons per day of this clcan groundwater will be
discharged to the Cape Fear River. The Cape Fear has
a daily flow rate, that is, the amount of water that flows
past our site, of 5.9 billion gallons per day. Our
groundwater discharge, then, would be like adding less
than a quarter of one ounce of water to a gallon.
This water - which will be tested for solids,
chemicals or impurities before it is discharged - will be
carried by an aboveground pipe on private property to
the discharge area. It will be released under a National
Pollution Discharge Standards permit issued by the
State. In addition, since the water will exit into a fresh
water body, it will not affect salt water estuaries
inhabited by shellfish and oysters.
Will you have on-site septic systems? Where
will they he located?
Brunswick County has issued us septic system tank
permits for our shop and office area. The drainfield
will be placed upland, away from any on-site wetlands.
Will your operations affect the Boiling
Springs' lakes?
The Boiling Springs lakes, which are partially fed
by artesian wells, are outside the area that may be
influenced by the quarry's operations. The water tables
that feed those wells will not be affected.
What effect will the facility have on traffic
near the quarry?
The limestone processed at the Brunswick facility
will be transported on trucks. For the first two to three
years the quarry is in operation, there will be about 35
to 40 trucks a day through the facility. As operations
expand, that number of trucks will also increase.
We arc working with North Carolina Department of
Transportation officials to improve the intersection
near our proposed facility, where N.C. 133, N.C. 87
and Sunny Point Road meet. One part of the solution
includes adding an entrance/exit road directly from our
site to N.C. 133. This would eliminate truck traffic
from our site on Bethel Church Road.
How will you control dust from your facility?
While some dust may he raised during limestone
crushing, it is kept to a minimum by a dust control
system required by the State to protect the
environment and our employees who work in the area.
In addition, once trucks are loaded, they may drive
through a water spraying system that dampens the
limestone product even more and prevents dust from
flying off the trucks en route. The road from our site to
N.G. 133 will also be paved, which will help eliminate
dust raised by vehicles entering and exiting the site.
Internal roads will be sprayed by the plants water
truck equipped with pumps and spray bars.