Dear Friend, 

Today, SCELP filed serious objections (download below) to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control on a mining company's proposal to mine gneiss and granite on a 416.8-acre site in Fairfield County for an entire century. 

‍‍The Luck Stone Corporation’s massive quarry is being proposed right in the middle of a residential community with deep roots and significant cultural and historical connections to the land. Subjecting this community to 100 years of substantial environmental degradation and destruction to their quality of life and environment is egregiously compounded by the fact that the true extent of the risks involved remain unknown. 

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In the coming weeks, you will have multiple opportunities to share your concerns about the Fairfield I-77 Quarry. Here's how: 

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PUBLIC MEETING

First, DHEC will hold a Public Meeting to discuss the proposed Fairfield I-77 Quarry on July 22, 2021 at 6:30 pm. The public meeting will have both an in-person and virtual component to allow interested persons the opportunity to speak at their own comfort levels. Anyone who plans to participate in the public meeting should complete the registration form prior to July 22, 2021. If you wish to attend in-person, we ask that you still register and arrive at Geiger Elementary School (150 TM Cook Ln, Ridgeway, SC 29130) before 6:30 on July 22, 2021.

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PUBLIC HEARING

Second, DHEC will hold a Public Hearing to discuss the proposed Fairfield Quarry on August 5, 2021 at 6:30 pm. The public hearing will have both an in-person and virtual component to allow interested persons the opportunity to speak at their own comfort levels; however, anyone who plans to participate in the public hearing should complete the registration form prior to August 5, 2021. If you wish to attend in person, we ask that you still register and arrive at Geiger Elementary School (150 TM Cook Ln, Ridgeway, SC 29130) before 6:30 on August 5, 2021.

To learn the difference in the Public Meeting and Public Hearing processes, you can visit this page.

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WRITTEN COMMENTS

DHEC will also accept written comments on the mine operating permit application through August 20, 2021. All written comments should be submitted to Jeremy Eddy, Project Manager DHEC Bureau of Land and Waste Management by email (eddyje@dhec.sc.gov) or US Mail (2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201). Find out more about the project by visiting DHEC’s page for the quarry here.

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In addition to attending the meeting, hearing and submitting comments of your own, you can also stay involved by:

1. Visiting this website to learn more and make sure your voice is heard about the project. South Carolina’s agencies and elected officials pay attention when they see that we are paying attention.

2. Joining this Facebook group, sharing posts and spreading the word with your contacts. Sharing info means you aren’t just talking about the issues — you’re doing something — and what we do, big or small, can make a difference.

3. Staying informed by reading info I send out. If a friend forwarded this link to you and you want to stay informed about this effort, please subscribe here. 

Thank you for standing with SCELP and with Fairfield County. I am so proud to continue fighting for environmental protection and justice with you each and every day. I look forward to continue sharing our important work with you.

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Sincerely,

Lauren Megill Milton

SCELP Staff Attorney