Letter to the Editor: Opposes rock quarry, conveyor at Athens-Boonesboro Road

Published 10:36 am Tuesday, June 25, 2019

As a resident of Clark County, I’m concerned about the adverse impacts of a quarry in arguably one of the most scenic and historical parts of Clark County.

I often enjoy the shady drive on Athens-Boonesboro Road along the Kentucky River. In spring, masses of purple wildflowers grace the roadside and a gorgeous waterfall flows down from the hillside.

Along the way, I pass the Waterfront Restaurant, the new Captain Billy Bush Riverside Park, the entrance to the John Holder Trail at the Lower Howard’s Creek State Nature and Heritage Preserve, and Hall’s Restaurant, where I have spent many pleasant afternoons enjoying lunch on the deck.

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Now imagine that same drive but traveling under a conveyor belt noisily carrying large, football-sized rocks only 15 feet above Athens-Boonesboro Road. Imagine trying to spend time in a kayak, canoe or fishing boat on the river, hearing the sound of rocks crashing across the river on the conveyor, hearing blasts and inhaling dust from a quarry.

Imagine a family taking a spring wildflower hike on the John Holder Trail with the ground shaking under their feet from mining blasts.

This could be happening soon if the Allen Company has their way in opening a quarry on Athens-Boonesboro Road.

The Allen Company plans to open a rock quarry and to convey the quarried limestone across the river to be processed at the existing quarry in Madison County.

The company has recently applied for a mining permit with the Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement in Frankfort. However, Kentucky law requires certain conditions be met to ensure the mining operation does not cause damage to dwellings, public structures, to life, to roads or streams or to members of the public and their property.

There are more than 118 family residences in the immediate vicinity that may be affected by the quarry and conveyer operation. The entire area is geologically fragile because of karst topography, and the area is historically significant because of its proximity to Fort Boonesborough and the Boone Trace Historical Trail.

Noise and dust from blasting, pollution of streams, damage to homes’ foundations and decreased property value are all very real potential consequences of a mining operation in this area.

The rock conveyor itself presents a safety hazard and an eyesore.

The effect on recreation on the river and tourism will also be detrimental to Clark County.

Any economic benefit to Clark County will be offset by the increased cost to the county for additional emergency services and infrastructure.

There is an opportunity to make public comments on this quarry application by emailing the director of the Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement in Frankfort, but it must be done quickly.

Please join me and other Clark County citizens in opposing the mining permit by sending your comments of concern by June 29 to Donna Schartung at donna.schartung@ky.gov. Include your name, mailing address, email address and the permit number (076-9400) in the letter.

Peggy Moody

Clark County