Petition to Oppose the Proposed 58-Acre Sand/Clay Mine Near PineLevel Church Road/Highway3
Petition to Oppose the Proposed 58-Acre Sand/Clay Mine Near PineLevel Church Road/Highway3
The Issue
To: Jasper County Zoning Board, County Council, Planning and Development Department, or Other Relevant Authorities
We, the undersigned residents and stakeholders of Grays, SC strongly oppose the proposed development of a 58-acre sand and clay mine adjacent to our properties and community. We urge you to deny approval for this project due to the significant and irreversible harm it poses to our environment, public health, property values, and overall quality of life.
this mine is set to be located .5 miles from the Hampton County line in Jasper County. It is located on Pine Level Church Road and Hwy 3.
Key Concerns Include:
- Environmental Impact:
Sand and clay mining can severely disrupt local ecosystems, contaminate nearby waterways through runoff and sedimentation, and destroy habitats critical to native wildlife. The proposed site borders sensitive lands and protected animals and resources that may not recover from this level of industrial disruption. - Water Supply and Quality:
Mining operations risk contamination of surface and groundwater supplies due to the release of fine particulate matter and chemicals used during extraction or processing. Residents rely on clean water which may be jeopardized. This also poses a risk to the streams and rivers that impact our community. - Decline of State/Federal Protected Animals and Plants
In our area, we are a natural habitat for Gopher Tortises, Monarch Butterflies ,Northern Long-Eared Bats, Tricolored bats, Red-cockaded woodpeckers, Pondberry, Piping Plover, Wood storks, Bald Eagles, Hog-nosed Snakes, Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes, Swallow-tailed Kites, Ground Doves, Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders, and many more. The noise and vibrations of machinery for years, along with impacted roadways, removal of dirt and trees, flooding to creeks, streams and rivers will have a detrimental effect on these plants and animals. - Flooding: We have had many hurricanes in previous years that has impacted our creeks, swamps and rivers. Along with the beavers that have dammed Cypress Creek all the way to the Coosawatchie River, our creeks will not be able to handle this type of runoff and water pumping through our community. Bridges and Ponds along the 5 mile stream, along with the Coosawatchie River also known as Corner Lake, will be detrimentally impacted.
- Air Quality and Noise Pollution:
The excavation and transportation of sand and clay produce large amounts of dust and constant noise, disrupting the peace of nearby homes and posing health risks—particularly to children, seniors, and individuals with respiratory conditions. - Traffic and Safety:
Heavy truck traffic associated with mining operations brings increased congestion, road degradation, and higher risks of traffic accidents. Rural or residential roads were not built to withstand this level of industrial use. - Property Values and Community Character:
The presence of a mine degrades property values and fundamentally changes the character of a community. Residents moved here for peace, safety, and natural beauty—not industrial noise and dust. - Long-Term Consequences:
Once the land is disturbed, it cannot be returned to its original state. The scars left by mining operations last generations, often with little to no benefit to the surrounding residents.
We understand the importance of resource extraction, but strongly believe it should not come at the expense of the health, safety, and well-being of nearby residents. There are more appropriate, less harmful locations for such operations.
We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Jasper County Council reject the proposed 58-acre sand/clay mine project and protect our community’s health, environment, and future.
Sincerely,
Rena C. Tuten & Grays Community
Grays, SC
(803) 942-2069
Rena.Tuten99@gmail.com
06/14/2025
Any additional comments or concerns can be left in the comments.
467
The Issue
To: Jasper County Zoning Board, County Council, Planning and Development Department, or Other Relevant Authorities
We, the undersigned residents and stakeholders of Grays, SC strongly oppose the proposed development of a 58-acre sand and clay mine adjacent to our properties and community. We urge you to deny approval for this project due to the significant and irreversible harm it poses to our environment, public health, property values, and overall quality of life.
this mine is set to be located .5 miles from the Hampton County line in Jasper County. It is located on Pine Level Church Road and Hwy 3.
Key Concerns Include:
- Environmental Impact:
Sand and clay mining can severely disrupt local ecosystems, contaminate nearby waterways through runoff and sedimentation, and destroy habitats critical to native wildlife. The proposed site borders sensitive lands and protected animals and resources that may not recover from this level of industrial disruption. - Water Supply and Quality:
Mining operations risk contamination of surface and groundwater supplies due to the release of fine particulate matter and chemicals used during extraction or processing. Residents rely on clean water which may be jeopardized. This also poses a risk to the streams and rivers that impact our community. - Decline of State/Federal Protected Animals and Plants
In our area, we are a natural habitat for Gopher Tortises, Monarch Butterflies ,Northern Long-Eared Bats, Tricolored bats, Red-cockaded woodpeckers, Pondberry, Piping Plover, Wood storks, Bald Eagles, Hog-nosed Snakes, Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes, Swallow-tailed Kites, Ground Doves, Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders, and many more. The noise and vibrations of machinery for years, along with impacted roadways, removal of dirt and trees, flooding to creeks, streams and rivers will have a detrimental effect on these plants and animals. - Flooding: We have had many hurricanes in previous years that has impacted our creeks, swamps and rivers. Along with the beavers that have dammed Cypress Creek all the way to the Coosawatchie River, our creeks will not be able to handle this type of runoff and water pumping through our community. Bridges and Ponds along the 5 mile stream, along with the Coosawatchie River also known as Corner Lake, will be detrimentally impacted.
- Air Quality and Noise Pollution:
The excavation and transportation of sand and clay produce large amounts of dust and constant noise, disrupting the peace of nearby homes and posing health risks—particularly to children, seniors, and individuals with respiratory conditions. - Traffic and Safety:
Heavy truck traffic associated with mining operations brings increased congestion, road degradation, and higher risks of traffic accidents. Rural or residential roads were not built to withstand this level of industrial use. - Property Values and Community Character:
The presence of a mine degrades property values and fundamentally changes the character of a community. Residents moved here for peace, safety, and natural beauty—not industrial noise and dust. - Long-Term Consequences:
Once the land is disturbed, it cannot be returned to its original state. The scars left by mining operations last generations, often with little to no benefit to the surrounding residents.
We understand the importance of resource extraction, but strongly believe it should not come at the expense of the health, safety, and well-being of nearby residents. There are more appropriate, less harmful locations for such operations.
We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Jasper County Council reject the proposed 58-acre sand/clay mine project and protect our community’s health, environment, and future.
Sincerely,
Rena C. Tuten & Grays Community
Grays, SC
(803) 942-2069
Rena.Tuten99@gmail.com
06/14/2025
Any additional comments or concerns can be left in the comments.
467
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Petition created on June 14, 2025