Company asks to mine near Lenoir
Jun. 7—A Statesville-based company has applied for a state mining permit that could open the door for a clay mining operation on property near Lenoir where neighbors previously have objected to the proposal.
Hood Creek Soils Company asked the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality for permission to mine soils and rock on 25 acres of an 84-acre site two miles west of Lenoir near Hoods Creek Road, according to their application.
Raymond Hoffman, the applicant and property owner, said he wishes to mine for clay liner soil to sell, possibly providing it to the operators of the county landfill.
"We're not looking for this to be a full-time operation there. So we'll go in, we'll look for the clay. When we find the clay we'll remove the clay, and then the site will probably stop operating for a period of time until clay liner is required again," Hoffman said.
He said he applied to mine 25 acres of the 84 because the operation will involve exploring to find the clay.
"So it's not going in and tearing up the entire property, it's pieces here and there wherever we find the clay," he said.
He added that the operation could bring jobs to the area, "which will be good-paying jobs if we're able to get in there."
He said he wants to "be good neighbors out there and contribute to the local economy."
Hoffman asked the Caldwell County Planning Board last year to rezone the property so he could mine there, but his request was met with opposition from people who live near the proposed site.
Mark Parsons, who lives near the property on Bryant Road, said in a recent interview that he deeply objects to the idea.
"Imagine they call you to tell you they're going to put a mine a half mile from your house. It's a horrible idea for us, the community, the county," he said. "I don't know why we would even entertain this."
Parsons said that his property has been in his family for generations, and his four children are student-athletes who enjoy the outdoors.
"The thought of having this? I mean, this is horrible. Outside of dropping another landfill in our backyard, I couldn't think of anything worse than a mining operation," he said.
When the proposal came before the planning board last June, Parsons was one of over a dozen residents of Bryant Road, Hoods Creek Road, and the surrounding area who spoke against the request.
The board voted unanimously to postpone a decision and give the company time to rework its application.
Planning Director Shelley Stevens said that Hood Creek Soils Company hasn't applied again with the county because it has to go through the state application process first, and what happens next will depend on the findings from the state.
Parsons said he has already reached out to Stevens and a county commissioner to object.
"It's not a good fit for our community. Again, I don't know why we would even entertain this. It just doesn't make sense," he said.
Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 828-610-8721.
Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 828-610-8721.
