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Gravel mining is a source of negative environmental externalities - the result of which can significantly impact housing values.

Board of Supervisors Meeting: Monday, September 19th, 11 am, 365 Losher St, Hernando, MS 38632

Environmental Effects and Safety Concerns of Sand and Gravel Mining:

Air Pollution (Airborne Particulate Emissions): Particles stay suspended in the air for long periods of time and pose the greatest health hazards as nearby homes can be covered by dust.
Water Pollution (Sediment load to surface water): Sediment loading from these mines to streams and wetlands has been identified as significant degradation to water supplies potentially threatening the 2200+ houses that are serviced by Lewisburg Water and are fed by the Sparta Aquifer.
Diesel Fuels: Diesel fuels can pose multiple pollution issues from noise (diesel generators) to ground water contamination.
Noise Pollution: Sound pollution can include loud noises from crushers and screen plants, which has been reported to be heard as much as a mile or more away. Additionally, increased traffic is estimated at 75 gravel trucks per day – moving to and from the pit, which equates to 150 moving trucks a day – or a moving truck every 4.8 minutes on a 12 hour work day. Note the noise is increased significantly if the mine is operating at night.
Safety Hazards: Gravel truck and plant employee traffic create road hazards such as potholes and increased road debris. Additionally,the potential for accidents is heightened by industrial traffic which puts our children  – en route daily during the school year to Lewisburg Schools – in harm’s way.

Property Devaluation:

The aforementioned environmental and safety concerns will drastically reduce home values. Studies have shown that Property Tax Assessment/ Land values can drop by as much as 30% in the vicinity of a pit or quarry, beginning as soon as the application for a permit is announced.  Considering the area hasn’t fully recovered from the 2008 real estate crisis, this poses an increased burden on the affected neighborhoods which not only affects individuals but the community at large:

  • Affected residents must NOT be forced to shoulder this cost burden. There continues to be mounting evidence of the extent and magnitude of the property value losses, as much as a 30% decrease!
  • Even if you are not in the immediate affected area, your property tax may suffer an increase to cover the shortfall if the municipality is hit with reduced revenues from reduced assessment values of properties in the pit area.
  • Once a pit or quarry is approved, roads – and other infrastructure – may need significant improvement to handle heavy trucks. These costs currently impact ALL municipal property owners/taxpayers.