The Impact of Class III Industries

Snow Camp residents are concerned about Class III polluting heavy industries. Our goal is to have these uses removed from the table of permitted activities. Under NC law, our residents must provide reasons why these industries are not compatible for any location in Snow Camp.

Class III industries include Mining/Quarrying, Racetracks, Chemical Manufacturing, Asphalt Plants, Landfills-except inert debris, Paper Mills, Cement Manufacturing, Electricity Generating Facility (not including renewable sources). 

Must-Know Fact List:

1 Property Values: Studies show that property values decline near industrial sites, especially mining and asphalt plants. This is exploitive and completely unacceptable to the residents of Snow Camp.

2 Groundwater contamination and/or depletion: Our entire community relies on our wells for our drinking water, heavy polluting industries pose a risk to our water quality and supply.

3 Vibrations: Snow Camp residents should not be subjected to our homes and historic Quaker dams and walls shaken by intense industrial activities including blasting and large truck vibration. Many of our homes and buildings are historic and more than 100 years old. They were not built to withstand vibrations from heavy industrial activity.

4 Safety: The Colonial Pipeline runs through our community and was not constructed or reinforced to withstand industrial activity and strong vibrations. A rupture/leak of this pipeline could irreparably contaminate our water supply or result in a catastrophic explosion.

5 Noise: Snow Camp is a serene rural, agricultural setting where our residents live to quiet sounds of nature and local farming activities. Many have moved here for this reason. Class III industries are noise polluters and like the blasting of the mine are offensive and disruptive to lives and our general health and well-being.

6 Air Quality: Snow Camp residents do not want chemicals, particles and odors contaminating our air and endangering our health.

7 Lack of Infrastructure: Snow Camp does not have infrastructure to support heavy industry. We lack a municipal water supply, a public sewer system and do not have direct access to a major highway artery. These are generally considered basic criteria for a heavy industry district.

8 Traffic: Snow Camp roads are built for low-density community and are not suitable for heavy truck traffic.

9 Tourism: Our historic district dates to the 1700’s and is a significant tourist attraction and up and coming cultural mecca. Many are working to restore historic artifacts including the Snow Camp Theater. Heavy industry will jeopardize this collaborative community effort.

If you live near the quarry in Snow Camp, please share your experiences with blasting, vibration, damage, etc. here