Environment
Air pollution.
Particulate matter generated from mining dust will fill the air, along with diesel fumes from trucks and heavy equipment. Noise pollution. Explosions, machinery, and large trucks will be heard in the area. Seismic activity. Tremors will be felt from daily blasting. This is particularly dangerous in the proposed area. The Brevard Fault line runs parallel to the Chattahoochee River in Georgia, and the quarry property line ends at the Chattahoochee, putting it in the fault zone. Endangered agricultural lands. Once lands are lost due to industrialization, they are gone forever. Impact on protected river corridors and floodplains. The quarry will be in a floodplain bordering the Chattahoochee River and Carnes Lake. Both bodies of water will be susceptible to pollution from airborne dust. The river will then transport those contaminants to more communities downstream. Wildlife uprooted. Local animals will be affected by the pollutants, noise, and threats to the water supply, and may be forced to relocate. |
Health
Lung disease.
Quarries produce dust particles that have been linked to silicosis, a lung disease which makes it difficult to breathe. Prolonged exposure can also be a risk factor in COPD, and in lung cancer mortality. Heart disease & stroke People exposed to particulate air pollution may be at great risk for heart failure and stroke. Pregnancy complications. Pregnant women exposed to airborne toxins are at higher risk of miscarriages, premature births, and low birth weights. Some women may have trouble conceiving. Mental health Loud noises like explosions, and the tremors they can produce may complicate conditions such as PTSD, autism, or clinical depression. |
Community
Trucking hazards. With 50 proposed loads per day, the area would see more traffic, possible shortcuts through neighborhoods, and interference with school bus stops.
Industrial Creep. Industrial development tends to attract similar businesses. That could mean further development into the rural areas, bringing more traffic, pollution, and noise. Reduced property values. Studies show that property within five miles of a quarry can lose up to 20% of their market value. Impact on local tourism. Attractions which rely on outdoor activity will be affected, including Banning Mills and Serenbe Farms. Loss of current and future recreational programs. The quarry will disrupt the long-term Chattahoochee trails program and recreational river access. Loss of historic cultural districts. Industrialization removes artifacts and obstructs potential interpretive events. Rural way of life. The peace and beauty of life in the country will be unavailable to future generations. |
If you would like more information on any of these topics contact us.