Tell Governor Perdue and Secretary of the Department Environment and Natural Resources Dee Freeman that you oppose the issuance of any state permit for the proposed Martin Marietta Materials mine in Beaufort County until the company has adequately analyzed the impacts of the mine. Furthermore, the state should hold one or more public hearings so that impacted individuals, stakeholders and communities can voice their concerns and have their questions answered.

The company proposes to discharge 9 MGD of wastewater (combination of pumped groundwater and polluted stormwater) into Blounts Creek. Blounts Creek is an invaluable recreational resource and is used for fishing, boating and swimming. The creek is currently a very healthy brackish system that is home to numerous fish, crabs, birds and other aquatic organisms. Martin Marietta has not adequately analyzed the impact of 9 MGD or 3.3 billion gallons per year of freshwater discharge into Blounts Creek. Inadequate evaluation and consideration is given to the species that can only survive in a salty or brackish environment. An example of the inadequate analysis is Martin Marietta’s fish sampling that was conducted on only 1 day and during the wrong time of year. Their conclusion stated that no anadromous juvenile fish species (like herring, striped bass, etc) were found. Sampling for these types of fish species should have been conducted in June or July, a time span during which Blounts Creek serves as a nursery area for these species. Loss of nursery areas not only degrades recreational fishing but it also harms the fish population that is available to commercial fishermen in North Carolina. 

The proposed mine will significantly increase the dramatic drawdown of the Castle Hayne aquifer that is the drinking water source for the City of Washington, Beaufort County, and the Town of Vanceboro. Wells that supply water for communities plus 200 families and landowners may see decreases in their well levels. Along with current mining operations in the area, the total loss of drinkable underground water will increase to over 80 million gallons per day. The company has offered no information to the public or the adjacent landowners on the potential impacts to their wells.  The company’s documents do not specify its responsibilities and obligations to remediate any loss or degradation of groundwater.

I am asking that Governor Perdue and Secretary Freeman stop the proposed Marietta Mining Project until a full and complete analysis can occur that adequately assesses the negative economic impact the operation will have on the growing communities in the area of the mine, the impact on public and private drinking water, and the economic impact of a degraded aquatic nursery area on recreation and commercial operations in the area and the region.  The public and affected communities and families have been kept in the dark. We deserve a transparent and open process and have the opportunity to voice our concerns and have our questions answered.

Please sign the petition now and tell Governor Perdue and Secretary of the Department Environment and Natural Resources Dee Freeman that you oppose the issuance of any state permit for the proposed Martin Marietta Materials mine in Beaufort County until the company has adequately analyzed the impacts of the mine.