A highly-debated rock quarry proposed on about 900 acres in Jackson County is set to go before the county’s board of commissioners next week.
Birmingham-based Vulcan Minerals, a company described on its website as the “nation’s largest” producer of construction materials, plans to form the quarry in southeast Jackson near the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and Old U.S. Highway 441.
If approved, Vulcan will look to produce “high-quality” construction materials for residential, commercial, industrial and governmental customers, according to the company’s website.
The company also vows to “build on (its) current $2.3 million annual economic benefits” to Jackson County, create 10-13 new jobs (with more hiring in future years), an additional $40 million-plus in new investment, $2 million to support county infrastructure and parks, and produce “150,000 tons of material to help maintain county roads and infrastructure.”
“Unlike other proposals presented to the county, our project will not require any taxpayer subsidies and will not strain local government services,” Vulcan’s website states. “Our commitments, community safeguards, protections and benefits are now memorialized in a binding.”
Stop the South Jackson Rock Quarry is among a number of groups who’ve opposed the proposal.
“The proposed quarry would be built in sections of North Athens in Jackson County on top of the largest ground water recharge area in the region,” a post on the group’s Facebook states. “It would also be very close to the North Oconee River a few miles upstream from the (Athens-Clarke County) water treatment plant. The company responsible for the quarry has a long history of environmental violations, and pose a serious threat to the water and air quality in the area.”
According to Vulcan’s website, the company will dedicate nearly 200 acres along Chandler Bridge Road for Jackson County to use for conservation and recreation as well as provide $500,000 for the county to develop the area for parks, open space or recreation.
The company says it’s also promised surrounding property owners 1,000 feet of the project site with a “well protection policy,” in addition to “ground vibration monitors to protect air quality, and $1.5 million to Jackson County “to offset any potential costs associated with this project’s development.”
The proposal is now expected to go before the Jackson County Board of Commission on Monday, Nov. 18.
Now Habersham has reached out to Stop the South Jackson Rock Quarry and Jackson County’s government for more information.
