As landowners and taxpayers in Fairfield County, we would like to call your attention to the fact that the proposed Luck Stone quarry is totally inconsistent with the County’s goals and principles stated in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan for Fairfield County (https://www.fairfieldsc.com/uploads/general/Comp-Plan-2021.pdf). This plan Is located on the Fairfield County Council webpage as a Resource. By virtue of your decision making power, you have a fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers to ensure the sanctity of these Comprehensive Plan goals:
Principle: “…discourage the location of industry other than agro-industry in rural or natural resource areas.”
(Industrial Policies, 1, p 133)
Concern: The Luck Mines proposed development is clearly not “agro-industry” and is squarely in the middle of a rural, natural resource area, where people live, farm, fish and hunt.
Principle: “Protect, maintain and enhance the county’s natural resources for future generations to share and enjoy but allow for use and development of such resources in an orderly and responsible manor [manner].
(Natural Resource Utilization and Conservation Policies, 1, p 133)
Concern: The Luck Stone quarry proposes to remove 100,000 gallons of water water daily from the water table, more than the communities of Winnsboro and Ridgeway together. This will likely destroy rather than preserves recreation waters and wetlands as well as the water source for both towns and surrounding rural homesteads that rely on well water. This is neither orderly nor responsible and contravenes the stated principal.
Principle: “Ensure that the development of land and water resources proceeds in a manner consistent with resource capabilities.”
(Natural Resource Utilization and Conservation Policies, 2, p 133)
Concern: The capacity of water resources remains unproven and thus adherence cannot be measured..
Principle: “Protect water quality and water shed [watershed].”
(Natural Resource Utilization and Conservation Policies, 3, p 133)
Concern: The ongoing operations of Luck have the potential to severely lessen the quantity and quality of water in the watershed. Mining and quarrying are primary causes of watershed deterioration. This deterioration will likely manifest itself in erosion, stream pollution, increased flooding, heavy sedimentation, and a diminished water table.
Crystalline silica dust is a by- product of granite mining. The New York Department of Health writes that prolonged inhalation of tiny bits of this silica can lead to development of silicosis, a serious lung disease for which there is no cure. Damage to the lungs is permanent. Further, the National Toxicology Program, a division of the Centers for Disease Control, lists crystalline silica dust as a known carcinogen.
Even Luck Stone, in its Safety Data Sheet on granite writes:
SIGNAL WORD: DANGER
HAZARD STATEMENTS:
May cause cancer by inhalation.
Causes damage to lungs, kidneys and autoimmune system through prolonged or repeated exposure in inhalation.
Causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage.
Those of us who live near this mine will inevitably have constant exposure to these cancer and silicosis causing pollutants. Given all these facts, why would you approve Luck Stone’s quarry rather than adhere to the principles clearly stated in your 2021 Comprehensive Report? Your failure to enforce these principles is a dereliction of duty that endangers our lives and health. We implore you to respect the principles set forth in this document specifically designed to guide you. We feel strongly that you owe this to your constituents – the taxpayers of Fairfield County who elected you.
Eugenia and Robert Seibels
Ridgeway