NC Policy Watch environmental reporter, Lisa Sorg's article reveals new evidence supporting the sunset clause that would force an end to Wake Stone mining operations at their Triangle Quarry in 2031. You can help ensure DEQ makes the right decision on this important issue by sending them an email via our Action Network Petition.
What is the Sunset Clause?
The current Wake Stone "Triangle Quarry" adjacent to Umstead State Park had their original Mining Permit 92‐10 approved in 1981 with a 50-year Sunset Clause. After 50 years, in 2031, Wake Stone was to offer to donate the land to the State and all mining operations would cease. The Mining Commission 1981 "Finding and Facts" document overruled DEQ's denial, but stated "the permit should be issued, subject to the Commission's final approval..." Therefore, the public can assume that the Mining Commission approved the 1981 PERMIT and the PERMIT with "Sooner" is the correct and final. It was NOT a typo. For 27 years and 9 permits, the "sooner" Sunset Clause remained and Wake Stone accepted each of these permits without objection.
What Happened?
In March 2018, under an Interim Director in charge of the mining permits, the Sunset Clause was removed per an email request to DEQ by Wake Stone Corporation who suggested the Sunset Clause was a "typo." The Mining Permit was changed without notice to NC State Parks or the affected public, residences or businesses. Then, stashed away in a hanging folder in a DEQ filing cabinet.
Why Should You Care?
With the Sunset Clause in place the existing "Triangle Quarry" would stop blasting and operation in 2031 and there could be no new RDU quarry on the Odd Fellows Tract.
Removing the Sunset Clause effectively allows Wake Stone Corporation to continue quarry operations with no time limit - exposing William B. Umstead State Park to decades of continued blasting and noise intrusion from the existing Triangle Quarry and to apply to create a new RDU Quarry pit on the Odd Fellows Tract.
New Updates
The Honorable Rufus Edmisten, Attorney General in 1980-81 issued a statement on January 12, 2021 that confirms the 1981 Permit with the Sunset Clause "speaks for itself" and the Sunset Clause of "sooner" is correct.
Yes, that means the NC State Parks should have the option to end quarry blasting and operations in 2031 - no old or new quarry.
Read more information on the Sunset Clause and history of the Triangle Quarry mining permit, the permit status for the planned expansion to the Odd Fellows tract, and details on the missing files that were found in the NC State Archives.