The purpose of this post is to keep everyone up to date on the communications between Alamance County and it’s citizens in regards to the Alamance Aggregate Mine that has invaded Snow Camp.
The following are email exchanges, posted with permission, between Snow Camp residents and the County Planning and Inspections Director, Tonya Caddle.
Date: Sun, Feb 13, 2022 at 5:21 PM
Subject: Complaint about Snow Camp Quarry
To: tonya.caddle@alamance-nc.com, commissioners@alamance-nc.com, terry.johnson@alamance-nc.com
Dear Ms. Caddle,
Can you tell me what are the regulations that apply to the operations of Alamance Quarry and Construction Materials in Snow Camp? Specifically, are they permitted to operate on Saturdays? Are there time restrictions on what hours they can operate Monday through Friday? Are there restrictions on when dump trucks can haul gravel from their site? Yesterday (Saturday February 12) there were trucks coming in and out of the quarry, delivering rock to the Toyota Megasite in Liberty. I followed one of the trucks as it left the quarry, at about 2:30 in the afternoon. On the way to the Megasite, I approached eight dump trucks coming in the opposite direction. I followed a dump truck as it was leaving the Megasite heading back to the quarry in Snow Camp, and passed by six more dump trucks coming from the opposite direction.
The trucks were not going down Richland Church/Timber Ridge Lake Road (the more direct route from Snow Camp to the Megasite). That road has already been heavily damaged by the dump trucks, there are large potholes all along the road. Two weeks ago, “Rough Road” signs were placed all up and down that road. The trucks yesterday were going through downtown Liberty.
The truck I followed was travelling on Highway 49 sometimes at 65 mph, where the speed limit is 55 mph. If these trucks are required to have a tarp, the one I followed had a very thin material flapping in the wind. Attached are photos of the truck, leaving the quarry, and entering the Toyota site on Julian Airport Road.
Does the Alamance County Noise Ordinance prohibit operations of mines and quarries outside the hours of Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm? This would seem to be the case, according to Section 6 of this Ordinance, Loud and Unreasonable Noise:
b)The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this section but this enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:
15)Except when operated Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.: all operations at Mining/Quarrying, Chemical Manufacturing, Asphalt Plants, Electricity Generating Facilities, Landfills-except inert debris, and Cement Manufacturing.
I called the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department yesterday to complain about the quarry. Someone called me back about fifteen minutes later, and said he had to investigate any county ordinances pertaining to noise. He said that all he could find was an ordinance prohibiting noise from 11 pm to 6 am in building operations.
If you do not have the answers to these questions, would you be able to direct me to the person or agency who could provide these answers?
I understand that growth in our area, both commercial and residential, is inevitable, not only from the Toyota plant but also spilling over from surrounding counties. My concern is that our new neighbor, the quarry, is not operating legally or with any concern for the safety and welfare of its neighbors. If they are not willing to operate in accordance with regulations on their hours, what measures will they take, now and in the future, to operate within any regulations that are supposed to protect our air and water? Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.Sincerely,
(Name withheld at the request of the writer), Snow Camp, NC
cc: Alamance County Commissioners, Sheriff Terry Johnson
From: Judy Shaver
Date: February 18, 2022 at 9:26:10 PM EST
To: tonya.caddle@alamance-nc.com
Subject: QuarryYou have to be kidding me! What happened to the HIDO regulations? What is the matter with our County? Who are you representing? We are the citizens who pay taxes and we are the ones you should be representing. I simply do not understand why the County can’t follow its own Ordinances. Where did you come up with the mumbo-jumbo you sent out to the residents in Snow Camp who complained about the quarry operating without an OPERATING PERMIT. We are not stupid. You can’t possibly believe that one person will fall for your explanation of the quarry operating but NOT operating. There is no point in any further plans for any regulations, whether you call it zoning or ordinances, because you will not enforce them. It’s a big embarrassment for our County. Shame on you!
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