Message from Historic Flat Rock Inc.:
The Village of Flat Rock is the largest historic district in the state of North Carolina. It includes many lovingly restored and protected historic landmarks and woodlands. Generations of families, counting many from the lowcountry of South Carolina, have worked endlessly to preserve and protect Flat Rock.
At one time in history Flat Rock encompassed most of Henderson County including East Flat Rock, Hendersonville, and the Green River Township. Hendersonville and Henderson County owe their origins to the kindness of one of Flat Rock’ s founders, Judge Mitchell King.
Now, it is time for the communities of Henderson County to come together again. This point in time it is in opposition to the proposed SE Asphalt Plant on Spartanburg Highway in East Flat Rock. The environmental pollutants from the asphalt plant would endanger the water, land, air, and people of Hendersonville, Green River, Flat Rock and East Flat Rock. “Asphalt fumes are known toxins. Asphalt processing facilities are major sources of hazardous air pollutants such as formaldehyde, hexane, phenol, polycyclic organic matter, and toluene. Exposure to these air toxics may cause cancer, central nervous system problems, liver damage, respiratory problems, and skin irritation.” A property value study conducted by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) documented value loss up to 56% because of the presence of a nearby asphalt plant. Read the BREDL study documenting property value losses over half a mile away from an asphalt plant in Pineola. North Carolina for details. (The report is currently having technical difficulties but should be findable soon.)
Historic Flat Rock, Inc. was founded in 1968 specifically ” to protect and preserve, in the community of Flat Rock, Henderson County, North Carolina, such landmarks (including, but not limited to public buildings, churches, houses, woodlands, and open spaces) as are or may be of historical, architectural, cultural, or recreational value to the community, state, and nation.”
In addition to the environmental pollutants and property value risks, the plant’s location would be 0.5 miles from the remaining portion of the East Flat Rock bog. This bog is classified as part of the Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge and is a National Cultural Heritage site. It is one of two spots worldwide where the endangered bunched arrowhead plant exists. The impacts from an asphalt plant would cause irrevocable damage to this unique cultural site. As an organization that protects and preserves historic and cultural sites, Historic Flat Rock, Inc. opposes the building of the SE Asphalt Plant in East Flat Rock.
For further information: www.friendsofeastflatrock.org
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