BAKERSVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — State environmental officials will hold a public hearing later this month to gather input on a proposed mining operation in Mitchell County.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources (DEMLR) will host the hearing at 6 p.m. July 29 at the former Bowman Middle School auditorium at 410 S. Mitchell St. in Bakersville. Sign-ups to speak will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Horizon 30 has submitted application No. 61-22 to operate Carter Quarry, a construction aggregate mine that would span 50.8 acres with a proposed excavation depth of 550 feet. According to the application, the actual mining area would cover approximately 23 acres.
The public comment period for the project remains open through Aug. 8. Comments can be submitted by email to ncminingprogram@deq.nc.gov with the subject line “Horizon 30,” by voicemail at 919-707-9227, or by mail to:
Kelly B. Jonas
Assistant State Mining Engineer
NCDEQ Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources
Mining Program
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612
DEQ officials said all comments, whether given at the hearing or submitted by phone, email or mail, will be reviewed along with other information before a final decision is made on the permit. The agency may approve the application, deny it or impose amended conditions.
Additional information and maps related to the Carter Quarry project are available on the DEQ website.