Proposed Limestone Mine Concerns Southeast Ohioans

Upset residents packed the Newton Township Fire Department t over a proposed limestone mine. Click the video link on the left to watch reporter Mark Bullion’s full story.

Maysville Materials is in the process of opening a limestone mine in Newton Township. Residents are concerned over a wide variety of issues including water and air quality, truck traffic, children’s safety, and wildlife impacts just to name a few. Concerned resident Donna Jennings made sure her opinion was heard tonight.

"It seems like nobody is really even listening here, we had a lot of great questions from a lot of different concerned citizens and yet we didn’t get any answers of any real type," says Jennings.

While residents undoubtedly expressed their concern tonight over the proposed mine, there is of course another side that needs to be heard.

"It’s jobs. It’s adding dollars to the economy so I think that’s a very positive thing today with the economy being the way it is throughout the country and obviously here in Ohio," says Lanny Erdos, Ohio DNR Deputy Chief.

Erdos adds that while residents have every right to be concerned about the overall general welfare of the community, Maysville Materials must comply with the Ohio Revised Code.

"Our job as a regulatory agency is to ensure the health and safety of the general public as well as the environment," adds Erdos.

When WHIZ asked residents what their plans were if the permits were to pass…

"Pray. I’m glad for this meeting that a lot of our issues were heard at least," says concerned resident Melanie Gierard.

"Move. Its the only thing I can do. I have grandchildren that live in my home. I have children that live in my home," says Jennings.

The permits for the proposed mine are currently undergoing field and hydrology review by the State. If approved, the beginning stages could be here as soon as later this year.