Sumner County Residents Oppose Rock Quarry

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By Jamey Tucker and Tiani Jones

WKRN – News Channel 2

CASTALIAN SPRINGS, Tenn. – Castalian Springs residences met with county leaders on Thursday night to express their concerns about a proposed rock quarry.

Homeowner John Simmons is just one of the residents that is against the idea of opening a rock quarry in the community.

He told Nashville's News 2 he was surprised to learn about the proposed plans.

"I could not believe it. There is no place that you could find that is less suited for this quarry," Simmons said.

In an effort to prevent the quarry from moving into the area, residents have collected hundreds of signatures and formed the "Save Castalian Springs" group.

Many homeowners said they are concerned over the blasting that could potentially damage their homes, as well as the dust from the rocks that would pollute the air.

"It's a peaceful community, it's a historic community and people there love their way of life and this is going to completely ruin it," resident Allyson Simmons said.

While residents are upset over the proposed quarry, historians fear the site could damage several preserved sites in the area.

Historic locations such as Wynnewood Mansion, Cragfont Mansion and a Native American village are all within a mile of the projected rock quarry and many fear a rock quarry so close could damage the historic landmarks.

Rick Hendrix is the director of the Wynnewood Mansion. He told Nashville's News 2 he is fearful of the effect the quarry would have on the land which was purchased by the state several years ago.

"We've got history that dates back to the Ice Age," he said, adding, "They have a master plan to incorporate all of the different historic sites [and] make it like a smaller Williamsburg," he said.

Each summer, archeology students from Middle Tennessee State University search for arrowheads and other historic artifacts on Highway 25.

"There are a lot of these artifacts in museums across the country, so I just believe building a rock quarry would be a detriment to the area," one MTSU student told Nashville's News 2.

During the meeting on Thursday evening, residents were assured that the quarry industry is controlled by strict permitting rules that are regulated by the state of Tennessee.

The zoning board is scheduled to vote on the quarry next month.