Score one for the Elktoe and Brookie

Citing “adverse effects” on various water bodies and sources, including well water, ground water and the Tuckasegee River, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources turned down a mining permit for the Carolina Boulder and Stone Mine in the rural Tuckasegee community in Jackson County — on a 56.77-acre site off N.C. Highway 251, in proximity to the Tuckasegee River. The river, noted the denial letter, “is a federally designated critical habitat for the endangered Appalachian Elktoe Mussel and is also a quality hatchery supported trout stream.” Inadequate planning for slope stability to prevent rock falls or landslides and resultant sedimentation was mentioned as potentially severely impacting water quality and wildlife habitat.

Residents of the rural residential community had contested the permit in a process that has gone on for over 18 months and garnered 1,500 signatures to be delivered to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. Forming United Neighbors of Tuckasegee, the community members studied the state’s mining regulations and standards and arranged expert testimony on wildlife and water issues, Native American archeological sites and other concerns.

“All of these issues were cited in their rejection” of the permit, UNOT representative Thomas Crowe told Xpress by e-mail, calling the permit denial “rare” and a major victory. “A small, rural community stood up and stopped a Florida developer (James VanderWoude) and his deep pockets business friends,” said Crowe.

Carolina Boulder and Stone LLC has up to 30 days from the date of the denial (Nov. 6) to appeal the DENR ruling. Xpress has been unable to reach a company representative for comment.

— Nelda Holder, associate editor

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

4 thoughts on “Score one for the Elktoe and Brookie

  1. nuvue

    I applaud your efforts T. Crowe and would gladly add my name to the petion but am not a resident of Jackson Co.
    It is good to see a community can stand up for the environment and win, for a change.
    Nelson Uzzell

  2. john

    Preserving “nature” is just a socialist, yankee plot meant to destroy our Southern Heritage.

  3. Leonard C. Harwood

    I regret that anyone would use the Brook trout as a reason to not mine for stone. Any brook trout found in that river would, as correctly stated, be planted there to live an average of two days before being plucked out. Hardly a NATURAL resource. There may be reasons not to crush stone there, but what has been presented fails miserably as a reason. Good, correct science will not support this.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.